Blake VanSnepson was 27 when he was shot and killed on December 22, 2017, in Hay Township, Michigan. A member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, he was a father, son, and brother described as closely connected to his community.

Court testimony laid out a dispute between VanSnepson and Dominick Dale Harmon that led Harmon to call Tre Alan Friend for assistance. An altercation between Friend and VanSnepson culminated when Friend retrieved a 20-gauge pump shotgun from his vehicle and fired, fatally wounding VanSnepson. Friend, 21 and from Beaverton, was charged in connection with the shooting; Harmon, 24, was charged for his role in events leading up to the incident and for lying to a peace officer.

Friend later pleaded guilty to homicide-manslaughter and felony firearm and received consecutive prison terms; Harmon pleaded guilty to lying to a peace officer.