Crime
Two Dead, One Injured in Northfield Township Shooting and Abduction; Three Suspects Charged
Three suspects, all from Detroit, have been taken into custody.
A violent incident on Wednesday night in Northfield Township has left two people dead, one injured, and two children briefly abducted.
The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office has arrested three suspects in connection with the crime, which authorities describe as a targeted attack.
Police were dispatched around 8:30 p.m. to a residence on Nollar Bend Road, near US-23, in response to reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, officers discovered:
- Jennifer Bernhard, 50, and Stevie Ray Smith, 74, deceased from gunshot wounds.
- Jeffrey Alan Bernhard, 53, suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to a hospital and is now in stable condition.
During the attack, two young girls, aged 7 and 4, were abducted from the home. With assistance from Michigan State Police and Ann Arbor Police, the children were located safely in Ypsilanti Township.
Both were taken to the hospital, where their conditions remain undisclosed but are reported to be stable.
Three suspects, all from Detroit, have been taken into custody:
- Shuvonne Vinson, 42
- Gregory Callhan, 37
- Keith Finley, 60
The suspects face an extensive list of charges, including:
- Two counts of open murder
- One count of assault with intent to murder
- Two counts of child kidnapping
- Conspiracy to commit murder and kidnapping
- Home invasion
- Weapons-related offenses
Additional charges against Vinson include assaulting police officers and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. Finley faces an extra charge for possession of a firearm as an ineligible person.
Vinson and Callhan were arraigned Friday and denied bond, while Finley will face arraignment Saturday.
All three suspects remain in custody at the Washtenaw County Jail.
During her arraignment, Vinson caused a disruption, shouting profanities and justifying her actions. “Them [expletive] deserved to die,” she yelled, referring to the victims.
Authorities have confirmed that the abducted children were foster children residing with the Bernhard family. One of the suspects is reportedly a relative of one of the children.
The tragic events have shaken the Northfield Township community. A GoFundMe page has been established to assist the Bernhard family during this difficult time.
Law enforcement continues to investigate the motives and circumstances surrounding the incident. Sheriff’s deputies have assured the public that there is no further danger.
This shocking case highlights the need for continued vigilance and community support in the wake of such a targeted and violent crime. Additional updates are expected as the investigation unfolds.
Detroit police have arrested a man in connection with a horrific triple homicide involving the deaths of his ex-girlfriend, her mother, and a 9-year-old child, whose bodies were discovered inside a burned vehicle on the city’s west side early Sunday morning.
Elauntra Sutton, a grieving Detroit resident, identified the victims as her 9-year-old daughter Ayva, her sister Kayda Sutton, and her mother Sandra Davis.
Authorities have confirmed that all three were murdered prior to being set on fire inside the vehicle.
According to investigators, the suspect — who had previously been in a relationship with Kayda Sutton — allegedly shot both Kayda and Sandra, before brutally stabbing 9-year-old Ayva to death.
After committing the murders, the suspect reportedly transported the bodies across town, ultimately setting the vehicle ablaze in the area of Milford and 30th Streets around 5:50 a.m. Sunday.
The Detroit Fire Department responded to reports of a car fire at the location. Once the flames were extinguished, three bodies were discovered inside, severely burned and initially unidentifiable.
Subsequent investigation led police to execute a search warrant at a residence on Detroit’s east side, where they uncovered a homicide scene believed to be where the murders took place.
Inside the home, officers also found a 4-year-old boy, who had been left unattended. He is a relative of the victims and is now in protective custody.
Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison expressed deep concern and outrage over the brutality of the crime. “With a case like this, it really upset me as well, and it upset our community. It can create a sense of fear,” said Bettison. “My homicide detectives worked around the clock along with the Michigan State Police. We utilized all of our assets to bring justice to this case.”
The Detroit Police Department urges anyone with additional information to come forward. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-Speak-Up or online at detroitrewardstv.com. A $5,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to progress in the investigation.
“We will be relentless in not stopping when something like this happens,” Chief Bettison added. “Our hearts are with the family and this community as we work to ensure justice is served.”