HOLLAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Mar. 6, 2023) – A 32-year-old suburban Atlanta man has been arraigned and a 54-year-old Covert man has been identified as the victim in shooting outside of a Holland Heights apartment complex this past Friday.
James Leonard Taylor was ordered held without bond in the Ottawa County Jail following an initial video hearing on Monday in Holland District Court on open murder and felony firearm charges. He was arrested about five hours after the body of Aaron James Barlow was found inside of a parked car parked in the area of Abbey Court and Stratford Way around 3 AM on March 3rd.
When Holland Public Safety Police Officers were first dispatched, they saw a man fleeing the scene on foot, and found the victim with multiple gunshot wounds. Although medical personnel arrived shortly thereafter, their efforts to revive the victim were unsuccessful. Holland Department of Safety Captain of Patrol Keith Mulder said in a department statement, “According to witnesses, the suspect was known by the victim, and neither the suspect or the victim lived in the apartment complex.” A “shelter-in-place” advisory for nearby residents was issued, and Holland Public Schools held up the start of classes at Holland Heights Elementary School for two hours.
Shortly after 8 AM, a call came in to Ottawa County Central Dispatch about a person matching the description of the suspect being seen in the area of 12th Street and Dartmouth Avenue. About 8:25 AM, the suspect was located and was taken into custody without incident.
No date for a preliminary hearing was immediately disclosed by Holland Public Safety.
