Brett L. Ritter, 23, was killed the night of November 15, 2014, outside Loggers Depot in West Branch, Michigan. A recent graduate of Kirtland Community College and a mechanic by training, he enjoyed outdoor sports, motorcycles and spending evenings with friends. The incident began with an altercation involving his brother. Patrick Alan Sourander, 34, intervened; Brett pushed Sourander, who then produced a handgun. During the ensuing struggle the firearm discharged and Brett was fatally wounded. He was taken to West Branch Regional Medical Center, where he died.

Sourander was arrested and originally convicted of second-degree murder, felon in possession of a firearm, felonious assault and two counts of felony-firearm. On appeal the murder conviction was overturned and he was instead found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; he received a sentence of 25 to 50 years plus penalties for the related charges. What did Brett mean to people who knew him in West Branch, and does anyone have information about that night?