Editor's note: This story is part of Southwest Michigan Second Wave's On the Ground Battle Creek series.


BATTLE CREEK, MI — Cafe Ricá, during the four years that it’s been open in downtown Battle Creek, has become a beloved place for people to meet friends and associates, and to enjoy coffee, refreshments, and food. On Thursday afternoon, February 15, a Battle Creek Police officer was wounded and a man from Texas was shot dead inside the establishment.  

There was a sense of shock throughout Battle Creek as nothing like this had happened in the city for a while. The homicide was one of the first in 2024. 

Seventy-five to eighty people attended Sunday afternoon’s vigil behind Cafe Rica.On a bitterly cold Sunday afternoon, three days later, 75 people gathered behind the coffee shop to seek healing and community. The vigil, organized by the Battle Creek Coalition for Truth, Racial  Healing, and Transformation, included remarks by Boonikka Herring of the Coalition, George Bredehoft of Cafe Ricá, and Battle Creek Mayor Mark Behnke.

The Bredehoft family of Cafe Rica are seen at Sunday’s vigil.Prayers were offered by the mayor and the Rev. John Boyd of Love in Action Ministries. Elishae Johnson, Ph.D., of  Bronson Healthcare, also spoke and offered to assist anyone needing mental health services. 

Cafe Ricá, which had closed following the incident, reopened on February 20. The following vigil photos were taken by On the Ground Battle Creek Photographer John Grap.

George Bredehoft speaks during Sunday afternoon’s vigil behind Cafe Rica.


Elishaee Johnson, PhD, System Director Business Health Services at Bronson Methodist Hospital, talks about mental health services.

Battle Creek Mayor Mark Behnke talks with Tristan and Michelle Bredehoft priorvto Sunday’s vigil.

A heart-shaped floral arrangement sits near the back entrance of Cafe Rica.
Seventy-five to eighty people attended Sunday afternoon’s vigil behind Cafe Rica

Battle Creek Mayor Mark Behnke speaks and offers a prayer during Sunday’s vigil behind Cafe Rica.

Seventy-five to eighty people attended Sunday afternoon’s vigil behind Cafe Rica.
Sign on the back entrance to Cafe Rica indicating that it will re-open on Feb. 20.