A homicide is being investigated by the Cass County Major Crimes Task Force.

Dowagiac Public Safety Director Thomas Atkinson reports that on Wednesday, April 13, at 5:33 p.m., officers responded to a report of a subject shot outside a residence in the 200 block of Grand Boulevard.

Officers arrived to find the victim lying outside a vehicle parked in the driveway.

He was transported to Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital in Dowagiac by Pride Care EMS.

The victim, however, was pronounced deceased shortly thereafter.

Police identified the victim as Darius Jevon Nickens, 28, of Dowagiac.

This homicide case is being investigated by members of the Dowagiac Police Department and the Cass County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigation revealed that a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu may have been stolen from the scene, possibly by a suspect involved.

This vehicle was subsequently recovered in Elkhart, Ind.

In addition to the Major Crimes Task Force, officers were also assisted by Pokagon Tribal Police.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the crime tip line at 1-800-462-9328.