STAFF REPORT

A Niles teenager is accused of shooting 33-year-old St. Joseph man in the early morning hours on April 16 in Milton Township.

Dakota Stanley, 17 was arraigned in Cass County Court Monday.

Stanley received the following charges.

• Assault with intent to do murder, felony charge, punishable by life or any number of years

• Assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, felony punishable by 10 years or $5,000

• Assault with a dangerous weapon, 4-year felony

• Three counts of weapons- felony firearm, 2-year felony

Police responded to an emergency call at approximately 6 a.m. from the residence of 71042 Kline Rd, Milton Township. When they arrived on scene, they found  Lewallen lying on the porch with a single gunshot wound, according to the Cass County Sheriff Richard J. Behnke. 

The man was shot with a pistol and authorities cannot say where on his body the injury occurred. The information is said to be part of an ongoing investigation.

The crime stemmed from an argument that escalated between Lewallen and his wife, Carol. According to. Behnke, Stanley attemped to intervene in the fight, police said.

Lewallen was transported to South Bend Memorial Hospital for treatment. Authorities could not reveal the state of his injuries before deadline.

Stanley was arrested as a suspect and lodged in Cass County Jail. He

Stanley will be tried as an adult, because the Cass County cut-off for children is 16.

Authorities said alcohol played a factor in the incident. The relationship between Stanley and the victim is not known at this time.

Deputies were assisted on at the scene by Ontwa-Edwardsburg Police and SMCAS.

An investigation is ongoing.