Jury Convicts Kaiden Cole In Fatal Shooting At Green Door Distilling

A Kalamazoo County Circuit Court jury found 19-year-old Kaiden Cole guilty of first-degree murder in the April 2025 shooting death of Montine Wiley, a security guard who was killed while protecting a large private event outside Green Door Distilling.

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

The Shooting

Wiley, 27, was working as security for a large private event at Green Door Distilling on East North Street near Porter Street on Saturday, April 12, 2025. An estimated 250 people had gathered outside the distillery when an altercation broke out with a patron attempting to enter the venue.

Cole, who was trying to enter the event, got into a confrontation with Wiley over capacity limitations. The assistant prosecutor said Cole brought a gun to the party.

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

Wiley was fatally shot in the chest shortly before 11 p.m. 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.

The Self-Defense Claim

Cole's defense attorney, Scott Wagner, argued Cole shot the security guard in self-defense, claiming Cole was leaving when Wiley followed him into the parking lot while armed.

"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 did not just shoot Wiley but 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.

Surveillance camera footage showed Cole shooting Wiley in the chest, which Cole himself does not deny.

Two Other Arrests

Two other people 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 currently stand.

Sentencing

Cole is scheduled to learn his sentence on April 22. Because of a 2025 ruling by the Michigan Supreme Court, he is not eligible to be sentenced to life without parole due to his age at the time of the offense.

Cole could be sentenced to up to life in prison.

Captain Guilds Statement

"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."

Case Timeline

  • April 12, 2025: Cole shoots and kills Montine Wiley outside Green Door Distilling
  • Days after shooting: Cole turns himself in following media pressure
  • March 12, 2026: Jury finds Cole guilty on all charges
  • April 22, 2026: Cole scheduled for sentencing by Judge Rebecca D'Angelo