GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A man involved in what police described as an “active gunfight” that killed a father of three has been sentenced to prison for his role in the 2023 shootout.

Sign up for the News 8 daily newsletter

Courvoisier Simmons, 30, was sentenced this week to 7 to 21 years for involuntary manslaughter. He was also given a mandatory two-year term on a felony firearm conviction.

Sentences for two other weapons offenses will be served at the same time.

The charges stem from a Sept. 29, 2023, shootout that resulted in the death of 27-year-old Lavadis Crawford-Blackman. It happened in the area of South Division Avenue and Fair Street.

Early that morning, two officers “saw an active gunfight in progress” in southeast Grand Rapids and exited their cruiser, police told News 8. One officer returned fire, but police say it appeared the officer did not hit anyone.

1 killed in Grand Rapids shooting

Two people were struck by gunfire during the shootout. Crawford-Blackman died on scene. The other man was treated for a gunshot to the abdomen.

Crawford-Blackman was remembered as a loving father of three.