AUSABLE TOWNSHIP, MI – A 32-year-old Michigan woman, Melissa Christine Ragen, has been charged with open murder and felony firearm after allegedly shooting and killing her husband during an argument at their home in AuSable Township, authorities say.
The Shooting Incident
The fatal incident occurred on Monday night, just minutes before 11 p.m., when a gunshot rang out at the couple’s residence on Second Street. Responding officers from the Oscoda Township Police Department arrived to find James Thomas Ragen IV, 31, suffering from a single gunshot wound to his chest.
“According to statements by the defendant, she was in an argument with her husband when she retrieved a .357 caliber revolver and shot him in the chest,” said the Iosco County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Attempts to Save the Victim
Iosco County EMS personnel attempted lifesaving measures at the scene, but the efforts were unsuccessful. By 11:13 p.m., James Ragen IV was pronounced dead. Law enforcement confirmed that no one else was harmed during the shooting.
Legal Proceedings
Melissa Ragen was arraigned on Monday in the 81st District Court for Iosco County, where she pleaded not guilty to the charges. Her next court appearance is scheduled for a probable cause conference on October 14, followed by a preliminary examination on October 28.
Court records in her criminal case have not yet been fully docketed for public viewing.
Background and Family History
Court records show that in December 2019, Ragen filed a paternity lawsuit under her maiden name against the victim. The litigation resulted in a filiation order in June 2020, legally establishing James Ragen IV as the father of a child.
Review of Ragen’s apparent social media profiles suggests that the couple had multiple children together in the years following the paternity order.
Community and Law Enforcement Response
Authorities described the case as a tragic domestic incident, emphasizing that law enforcement responded quickly to the emergency call. The Iosco County Prosecutor’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the events that led to the argument.
Call to Action
Domestic violence and firearm safety remain critical issues in communities nationwide. Share your thoughts in the comments below about preventing domestic conflicts and ensuring the safety of families in volatile situations.
