Community Updates: Friday, June 2

Grand Rapids Police Department Asks Community for Information About Person of Interest, Possible Witnesses in Wednesday's Homicide

The Grand Rapids Police Department (GRPD) has announced that it is looking for a 27-year-old man named Luis Fabian Bernal-Sosa in connection to the recent shooting death of 22-year-old Leah Marie Gomez. Bernal-Sosa is currently a person of interest in this case and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. According to the GRPD's news release:

"He is known to drive an early 2000s black Ford Ranger with an extended cab, aftermarket rims and tires, and possibly a "Bernal Landscape Management" sticker on the back."

The GRPD has also made it clear that Bernal-Sosa is being considered as "armed and dangerous." 

The shooting took place on the City's southwest side around 3:20pm on Wednesday, May 31. Gomez was pronounced dead at the scene. A child had been in the backseat of the car at the time of the shooting, but was unharmed.

The GRPD is also asking the community to help identify two possible witnesses to the incident. 

The Grand Rapids Police Department is urging anyone with information about the shooting, Bernal-Sosa, or the two unidentified witnesses to call detectives at (616) 456-3380 or reach out anonymously through Silent Observer online or by phone at (616) 774-2345.   

The City of Grand Rapids Reminds Residents that Public Pools and Splash Pads Will Open Next Week

On Wednesday, the City of Grand Rapids sent out a press release to remind residents that the City's 18 public splash pads and pools will be officially opening for the 2023 season on Friday, June 9. 

The City of Grand Rapids has three public pools at Briggs Park, Martin Luther King Park, and Richmond Park. According to the City's website, children under the age of 10 cannot enter the pool without an adult and those who cannot swim or may require additional assistance must be within arm's reach of an adult at all times while in the pool. Admission is discounted for residents of Grand Rapids ($1 for youth, $3 for adults), but non-residents may also be admitted to the pools for a slightly higher rate ($3 for youth, $5 for adults).

The Briggs Park, Martin Luther King Park, and Richmond Park pools will be open every day (weather permitting) from Friday, June 9 through Saturday, August 19. Pool hours are:

The splash pads at Aberdeen Park, Alger Park, Campau Park, Cherry Park, Fuller Park, Garfield Park, Gerald R. Ford Academic Center, Heartside Park, Highland Park, Joe Taylor Park, Lincoln Park, Mary Waters Park, Mulick Park, Roosevelt Park, and Wilcox Park will also be opening on June 9. Splash pad hours will be between 10:00am and 9:00pm from Friday, June 9 through Sunday, September 10. There is no cost to visit the City's splash pads. 

For more information about pool/splash pad rules and guidelines, visit the City's website. 

Also in the News:

• The Grand Rapids Public Library has announced that its Summer Reading Challenge began on Monday, May 29 and will be open through Monday, September 4. For more information, visit the GRPL's website.

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