SAGINAW, Mich. — Jose M. “Tip” Barrera, 41, has been identified as Saginaw’s first homicide victim of the year after he was fatally shot inside a home early Tuesday morning. The shooting happened in the 100 block of North 12th Street and has left family members, friends, and the wider community mourning a life cut short by violence.
Police were alerted to the situation around 5:30 a.m. when Saginaw County Central Dispatch received a silent 911 call. Although the caller did not speak, the line stayed open. Dispatchers later heard someone mention that a person was not breathing. Using GPS technology, dispatchers traced the call to the North 12th Street address and sent officers to investigate.
When officers arrived at the home, they found Barrera dead from at least one gunshot wound. Police said the 39-year-old homeowner had already left the scene in a vehicle. Officers located the vehicle a short distance away, conducted a traffic stop, and arrested the homeowner without incident.
Investigators said the homeowner had been hosting a gathering at the house and that Barrera was among the guests. At some point during the gathering, a dispute broke out between the two men. Police said the argument escalated, and the homeowner shot Barrera. Authorities have not shared details about what caused the dispute or how many shots were fired.
The suspect was booked into the Saginaw County Jail Tuesday evening on an open murder charge. As of Wednesday morning, he remained in custody but had not yet been arraigned. Police have not released his name, and it will remain withheld until formal charges are filed in court. The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing.
As the case unfolds, tributes to Barrera have flooded social media. Loved ones described him as a devoted father, especially to his 8-year-old son, who has Down syndrome. Many shared photos and messages remembering his kindness and dedication to his family. Barrera’s death is the first homicide in Saginaw since the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old woman on Dec. 31, underscoring ongoing concerns about gun violence in the city.
