Man with illegal gun tries to escape police while running in Kalamazoo Marathon

KALAMAZOO, Michigan – A 23-year-old Kalamazoo man faces federal charges after being stopped with a gun by an off-duty detective while running a marathon.

Authorities say an off-duty police officer was running the Zeigler Marathon in Kalamazoo on May 5 when she saw a man pull a handgun from his waistband while arguing with a woman, prompting the woman to run away. Police said she and another Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officer approached the man and attempted to arrest him, but he also fled. The man reportedly managed to elude police by running into the crowd of marathon runners.

Police said they used dogs loaned by Western Michigan University police to track the suspect, who they found hiding under a boat in a backyard. The gun he allegedly had in his possession was also recovered.

Police body camera footage of the arrest can be seen in the video player above.

Jaeontae Moore was charged on August 7, 2024, with possession of a firearm. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.