Man accused of shooting and killing Eau Claire firefighter is charged with murder

BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. (WNDU) – The man accused of shooting and killing a firefighter in Eau Claire over the weekend faces multiple charges, including open murder, after his first court appearance Monday.

According to the Berrien County Sheriff's Office, 47-year-old Rigoberto Gomez of Eau Claire was charged in Berrien County Trial Court with murder/open murder, assault with intent to cause bodily harm less than murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, etc. three Firearms charges.

According to police, the shooting occurred just before 12:45 a.m. Saturday near the intersection of Main and Elm streets.

When they arrived, they found two men shot. One of the men was unresponsive and suffered life-threatening injuries, the other had non-life-threatening injuries.

Both victims were taken to the hospital, where one of them later died. That victim has since been identified as 36-year-old Chad Medlin of Benton Harbor. Officials have confirmed Medlin was an Eau Claire firefighter.

Police say they were able to quickly identify Gomez as a suspect with the help of witnesses and arrest him.

On Monday, his bone salary was set at $1 million in court.

Police say the shooting remains under investigation.

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