A jury has found 19-year-old Kaiden Cole guilty of first-degree murder after the teen shot and killed 27-year-old security guard Montine Wiley, Jr. on April 12, 2025 in Kalamazoo.

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

The Shooting

Wiley was working as a security guard at a large private event in the 400 block of East North Street near Porter Street when the shooting occurred. The event had an estimated 250 people in attendance.

An altercation broke out with a patron attempting to enter the venue when Cole, who was also trying to enter, pulled a gun. Wiley ordered Cole to get rid of the weapon, but the frustrated teen told Wiley to meet him in the parking lot.

Cole shot Wiley in the chest shortly before 11 p.m. Officers found the security guard at the front entrance of the parking lot with a gunshot wound to the chest. He was taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead around 11:40 p.m.

The Arrest

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.

Two others were also 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

The Trial

Cole was originally charged with homicide — open murder, felony firearm and carrying a concealed weapon — and was denied bond.

During the three-day trial, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Ben Norg presented evidence that 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, according to Norg. 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, which he himself doesn't deny. However, his defense attorney Scott Wagner claimed Cole shot the security guard in self defense.

Wagner said Cole was leaving as he was told and that 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, according to Wagner.

Cole couldn't retreat anymore because as he turned around there was a gun pointed at him, according to Wagner. Cole acted in self-defense, according to Wagner.

However, Norg said Cole didn't just shoot Wiley, he bragged about it to a friend after leaving the scene. Cole confirmed in the van leaving to Battle Creek that I shot that n----- according to Nord.

The Verdict

A jury found Cole guilty of first-degree premeditated murder, felony firearm and carrying a concealed weapon following the trial. The verdict came March 12, 2026.

Cole could be sentenced to up to life in prison. 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.

The Response

"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."

Community Reaction

Community leaders expressed disbelief at the killing of Wiley, who was working to keep the event safe for an estimated 250 people.

The department credited the widespread coverage of the investigation with pressuring Cole to turn himself in to police. Another suspect, Damonte Jenkins-Gooden, 22, was also arrested in the case. It is not clear where the charges filed against him stand.

Case Timeline

  • April 12, 2025: Montine Wiley shot and killed outside Green Door Distilling
  • April 2025: Cole turns himself in to police
  • March 12, 2026: Jury finds Cole guilty of all charges
  • April 22, 2026: Cole scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Rebecca D'Angelo

Sources