Connor Lotterman Obituary, Death; Deputies: GVSU student shot through floor, killed at house party

Connor Lotterman Obituary, Death;- A teenager has died after being shot in the head at a party on May 9 in Tallmadge Township, according to the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies on Thursday identified him as Connor Lotterman, a 19-year-old from Tallmadge Township. It happened just after 11 p.m. Friday at a house in the area of 2nd Avenue near Lake Michigan Drive NW. It’s an area with many businesses.

Deputies say that a 20-year-old man was in an upstairs bedroom at the house. Lotterman was downstairs with others at the party.

According to deputies, the 20-year-old used his own loaded gun and fired multiple rounds through the floor. Those bullets traveled through the floor and one of them hit Lotterman in the head. Lotterman was taken to the hospital where he later died. He was a student studying at Grand Valley State University.

“The Grand Valley community is saddened by Connor’s tragic death,” GVSU Dean of Students Aaron Haight said in a statement. “On behalf of President Mantella, the Laker community extends our deepest sympathies to his family and friends. Students may utilize the Care referral process and the University Counseling Center for support and resources during this difficult time. Faculty and staff can access mental health services via the Employee Assistance Program.”

Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the incident. The county medical examiner has ruled Lotterman’s death as accidental, but prosecutors are reviewing possible criminal charges against the 20-year-old shooter. Capt. Jake Sparks with the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office points out the gun was loaded and there were several shots.

“The shooting was quite intentional,” Sparks said. “Multiple rounds were fired. It wasn’t like as if it were a one-shot accidental discharge. This was numerous rounds discharged. Although the result of the shooting led to an accidental death, this shooting was intentional.”

There were 10 to 20 people at the party, Sparks said. All of the people in the residence at the time of the shooting knew each other, according to deputies.

Neighbors told News 8 they were stunned. They said this is always a quiet area and couldn’t recall anything like this happening. Sparks said the shooting serves as a reminder to keep firearms stored properly.

“If you have firearms that are out, lock them away, separate them from the ammunition,” he said. “Gun safes, trigger guards, trigger locks, all those things can be important to make sure nothing tragic happens.”