MARCELLUS TOWNSHIP – Alcohol was a factor in a fight that led to a father shooting his son.

Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke says his department was called to the 11,000 block of Van Buren Street in Marcellus Township just after 9:30 PM on Wednesday. Deputies determined a fight broke out between 55 year old Russell Gonder and his 29 year old son Cody after they had been drinking. Cody had a firearm on his side in a holster when the fight broke out. Russell disarmed his son and threw the firearm to the side.

Cody came back to assault his father again, but Russell grabbed the gun and shot his son in the head. Cody Gonder was attended to at the scene by Pride Care Ambulance and Marcellus Ambulance. He was then flown by South Bend Memorial Med Flight to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo and is in critical condition. Russell Gonder was taken to Ascension Borgess Lee Memorial Hospital to be treated for his injuries, and was then released.

The case remains under investigation and will be forwarded to the Cass County Prosecutor’s Office for review and a determination if charges should be filed.