Police investigating after ‘noxious gas’ released at West Michigan Meijer store

FRUITPORT TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Police in West Michigan are asking the public to help them identify a person of interest after a “noxious gas” was released at a Meijer store.

At 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, police were called to a Meijer store on Harvey Street in Fruitport, Michigan for reports of an “unknown noxious gas emanating from inside the store.” Police said when first responders arrived they noticed a “small gaseous cloud in the center of the store” and smelled a “strong odor of chlorine.”

Investigators located a small plastic bottle in the home goods area of the store that was releasing the substance into the air. The substance was removed by the Fruitport Township Fire Department. The Muskegon County Hazardous Materials Response Team also responded to the scene.

Police said that the substance was mostly likely caused by swimming-pool-type chemicals that were placed inside the bottle.

Four people went to an area hospital where they were treated and released.

The Fruitport Township Police Department is asking the public to help them identify a person of interest in this case. The person was seen in the area where the bottle was found and is accused of stealing items from Meijer.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Bryan Rypstra or Deputy Chief Greg Poulson at the Fruitport Twp. Police Department or Silent Observer at 231-722-7463. Police want the public to contact them if they know the individual, witnessed the event, or have video recordings of the event.