Phillip Jajuan B. Miller was 23 when he was found dead in the early hours of April 8, 2021, in the 5500 block of Redcoat Lane in the Colonial Manor mobile home park in Oshtemo Township, Michigan. The Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office opened a homicide investigation after the discovery.

Investigators say the incident grew out of a troubled relationship between Miller and Joynette Cruz. Miller was reportedly under a court order not to contact her. That night he appeared at her home to ask for money and an altercation followed in which officers allege he began assaulting her. Her brother, 19-year-old Joriel Cruz, is reported to have intervened; according to statements, Cruz told Miller to stop and then shot him when the assault continued. Miller later died while being transported to a hospital by his father and Joynette.

Joynette initially told police she was the shooter, a statement investigators say was not supported by the scene. Joriel Cruz was arrested and charged with open murder and felony firearm and was held without bond. Does anyone have information about Miller’s last known movements or about the events at the mobile home park that night?