A family’s home in Comstock Township, Michigan, became the scene of a deadly home invasion on the evening of December 1, 2019. Christopher Ryan Lee Neal, 22, was at home with his wife and young child when an armed intruder entered. Neal encouraged his wife to flee with their child while she called 911; he was taken hostage and later found deceased inside the house after a gunshot during the standoff.

Law enforcement from the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, and Michigan State Police entered before a full SWAT team assembled and came under gunfire. Three officers suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect, identified as William Paul Jones, was apprehended after attempting to flee. Reports say Jones had a lengthy criminal history and had been released from jail five days before the invasion, and the attack appeared random.

Neal, originally from Quinlan, Texas, was a U.S. Navy veteran who served as an Aviation Electronics Technician. He and his wife, who met in Navy A School, had recently moved to Michigan and were expecting a second child. If anyone knew Christopher or has information about that night, please share what can help the investigation.