A jury in Kalamazoo County Circuit Court found a 19-year-old Battle Creek man guilty of murder in the killing of a security guard who died while working at a private event outside Green Door Distilling.

Kaiden Cole, 19, was convicted on Thursday, March 12, 2026, of first-degree murder, felony firearm and carrying a concealed weapon in the April 12, 2025 shooting death of Montine Wiley Jr., 27.

Wiley was killed outside the venue in the 400 block of East North Street while working security at a large private event. An estimated 250 people attended the party that night.

Cole turned himself in to police days after the shooting following what investigators described as mounting pressure from the investigation, widespread news coverage and social media attention.

Prosecution Says Cole Brought Gun to Party

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Ben Norg said Cole was trying to enter the venue but Wiley wouldn't let him because of capacity limitations.

A gun was pulled out and Wiley ordered Cole to get rid of it, Norg said. Frustrated he couldn't get in, Cole told Wiley to meet him in the parking lot.

"The defendant brings a gun to the party, threatens Montine Wiley, challenges him, calls him outside, arms himself, shoots him and brags about it," Norg said. "That's not self defense that's murder."

Cole was caught on surveillance camera shooting Wiley in the chest. Cole himself doesn't deny it, but his defense attorney, Scott Wagner, claimed Cole shot the security guard in self defense.

"He wasn't trying to escape from his actions of murder, he was trying to escape from potentially being murdered himself," Wagner said. "He couldn't retreat anymore because as he turned around there's a gun pointed at him. Kaiden Cole acted in self-defense."

Norg said Cole didn't just shoot Wiley, he bragged about it to a friend after leaving the scene.

"He confirmed in the van leaving to Battle Creek Kaiden Cole says I shot that N-----," Norg said.

Other Suspects Also Charged

Two others were arrested in connection to the incident.

Damonte Christopher Jenkins-Gooden, 22, was charged with tampering with evidence and felony firearm.

Oscar David Wygant, 20, was charged with accessory after the fact to a felony.

It is not clear where the charges filed against Jenkins-Gooden stand.

Victim Died at Hospital

Wiley was fatally shot shortly before 11 p.m. on April 12, 2025. Officers found him at the front entrance of the parking lot with a gunshot wound to his chest. He was taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead around 11:40 p.m.

"Yesterday's guilty verdict reflects the dedication of our investigators and prosecutors who worked tirelessly to hold the offender accountable," said Captain Danielle Guilds of the Criminal Investigations Division.

"While this outcome provides a measure of justice, it cannot undo the profound loss suffered by the victim's loved ones. Gun violence leaves lasting damage, and this case is a tragic reminder that one moment of violence can affect many families."

Sentencing Set for Late April

Cole will be sentenced by Judge Rebecca D'Angelo on April 22, 2026.

Due to a 2025 Michigan Supreme Court ruling, Cole is not eligible for a mandatory life without parole sentence because of his age at the time of the offense. Cole could be sentenced to up to life in prison.

The trial originally began on March 10, 2026 and concluded with the guilty verdict on March 12, 2026.

Tensions ran high throughout the trial, particularly on day two when the courtroom was cleared after emotional reactions from both sides of the case spilled outside the courthouse.

Judge Rebecca J. D'Angelo excused the jury from the courtroom momentarily so she could caution the gallery to temper emotions.

"I want everyone to watch this trial and be able to be here," D'Angelo said. "I cannot imagine the pain that all of you are going through. I have not been in your shoes. But I also have a job to do and so do these deputies. If we have any disruptions, they have the authority to dismiss whoever is necessary out of the courtroom for the remainder of the trial."

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