Incident Report: Concerning Behavior by Mike Battle

On October 22, 2024, an incident occurred at 23960 21 Mile Road involving my nephew, Ed Battle, and my cousin’s son, Mike Battle. Ed was organizing materials under the lean‑to at the front of the barn when Mike stopped his vehicle on the road and exchanged words with him. I was inside the house at the time. When I looked outside, I saw Mike running toward the lean‑to in what appeared to be an aggressive manner.

I stepped outside to listen. I could not see the interaction directly because Ed was behind his red truck, but I heard raised voices. I walked toward the truck and told Mike to leave the property immediately. He eventually returned to his vehicle, turned around in the driveway, and drove west toward his home.

Ed later told me that, moments earlier, Mike had driven his vehicle in a way that felt threatening, as if attempting to force him off the road. Ed also reported that Mike struck him in the face during the confrontation.

I contacted both the Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office and Newaygo County Dispatch around 7:30 PM on October 22 to report the incident. Dispatch informed me that an officer would check on Mike’s welfare when available.

This was not the first concerning event involving Mike. My elderly parents previously told me about an incident in which Mike killed and skinned their house cat and gave it to them, claiming it was a raccoon he had hunted. One of my brothers intervened and told them not to cook it. This behavior deeply disturbed me and remains one of the most troubling things I have heard within our family.

I have lived in major cities—San Francisco, Oakland, Tokyo, Yokohama, and Grand Rapids—and have encountered a wide range of human behavior. Even so, nothing in my experience prepared me for a family member acting in ways that are unpredictable, aggressive, or harmful. These situations require vigilance and clear boundaries.

Mike is now approximately fifty‑five years old. Ed is about forty‑five. I am one of the remaining members of the Clem Battle nuclear family, and with a large extended family—around fifty nieces and nephews—I feel a responsibility to help protect those who may be vulnerable.

My message to my family is simple: If Mike behaves in a threatening or aggressive manner, prioritize your safety. Do not confront him. Contact 911 immediately. The sheriff’s office emphasized that victims must be the ones to file complaints; observers may provide statements, but only victims can request police action.

Please remain alert. If Mike pulls into a yard, parks outside a home, or behaves in a way that feels unsafe, call 911 without delay. Do not attempt to handle the situation alone. Do not escalate. Use legal channels, document incidents, and rely on law enforcement.

These behaviors are not normal family disagreements. They pose a risk to the safety and well‑being of those involved. Our goal is to prevent further incidents through calm, lawful, and consistent reporting.