Northfield murders: Charges filed in Washtenaw County double killing, child abduction
NORTHFIELD TWP, Mich. (FOX 2) - Charges were be filed on Friday against two people who police said shot three people, killing two, and abducted two kids in what's believed to be a custody dispute on New Year's Day in Washtenaw County.
Three suspects in the murder of two foster parents have been in custody since Wednesday and could make their first court appearance on Friday as the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office works the case.
Police said the three suspects showed up to a home on Nollar Bend Drive in Northfield Township around 8:30 p.m. on January 1.
Northfield victims identified
According to police, three people were inside the home at the time: 74-year-old Stevie Smith and a married couple, 48-year-old Jennifer Bernhard and 52-year-old Jeffrey Bernhard. Two young girls were inside the home as well.
Police said when the three suspects arrived, there was an argument and all three victims were shot.
Smith and Jennifer Bernhard were both killed in the shooting. Jeffery Bernhard is in the hospital and is listed as stable.
"Upon arrival they found two deceased adults in the residence and there was another adult suffering from gunshot wounds," said Lt. David Powell.
FOX 2 has learned he’s an assistant director for the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System.
Why were the Northfield victims shot?
The girls, ages 4 and 9, were taken from the home but were later found safe and physically healthy. One of the girls was found on Rowley Court in Ypsilanti and the other little girl was on Lexington Parkway, about two minutes away.
Sources said one of the kids was in foster care at the home and that the shooting and kidnapping were the result of some kind of child custody dispute.
Police have not yet confirmed the details or motivation for the shooting.
How were the suspects arrested?
Police have not yet confirmed how the suspects were arrested but only that a team worked to get them into custody.
"I looked out, and they were like three or four police cars, and I saw somebody, like, being taken away in handcuffs," said a neighbor who saw the rescue.
Police have not yet released their names or identities.
When were the suspects charged?
Three suspects were arraigned on dozens of charges on Friday afternoon.
Shuvonne Vinson, 42, Gregory Callhan, 37, and Keith Finley, 60, were all charged murder, kidnapping, assault, and more, for the New Year's Day double murders that shook the town of Northfield.
The Source: Neighbors and community members in Northfield Township as well as Police Lt. David Powell spoke to FOX 2 to release details on the story.