LIVONIA, Mich. – A growing memorial of flowers, candles and balloons now fills the porch outside a Livonia home where four family members were killed Tuesday evening in what many can only describe as the unimaginable.
On Wednesday, neighbors and community members gathered outside the home on Rensellor near Inkster and 7 Mile roads, embracing one another and trying to process the loss.
“It’s sad -- very sad,” said Mike, a neighbor and family friend.
Another neighbor, Judy Cook, said she was overwhelmed by the news.
“I was devastated,” she said.
One family member respectfully declined an interview but told Local 4 the family remains in complete shock.
“May God be with you -- be strong,” one neighbor said to the grieving family members.
Livonia police identified the victims as Sterling Ray Pierce, 58, the suspect’s father; Holly Marie Kimball, 53, his mother; Tanner Ray Pierce, 22, his brother; and Tanner’s girlfriend, Nevaeh May Joslyn Finch, 21, of Warren.
Loved ones said Finch spent much of her time at the home. Her relatives were too distraught to speak publicly, and family members told Local 4 her mother is “heartbroken.”
Neighbors remembered the victims as kind, friendly and polite. Judy Cook said Kimball, in particular, stood out for her warmth and kindness.
“She was really nice. She was just a sweetheart really,” ,said.
Police said officers were dispatched to the home shortly after 5:30 p.m. Tuesday following multiple reports of gunfire.
Several neighbors recalled hearing the rapid fire.
“I just heard a lot of shots and they were fast,” Judy said. “Really fast.”
According to investigators, the 25-year-old man walked out of the home with his hands raised and told officers he had shot his family. Police said they found four people dead, both inside and outside the home.
Sources told Local 4 that two dogs were inside the home. One suffered a gunshot wound to the leg but is expected to survive.
Investigators recovered a semiautomatic rifle believed to have been used in the killings, along with several other firearms, including another rifle, a shotgun and handguns. Authorities are still determining whether the weapons were legally owned.
The suspect remains in custody and could be arraigned as early as Thursday while investigators continue processing evidence.
Police said there was a “contentious relationship” between the suspect and his parents. Several neighbors told Local 4 they had heard the suspect’s parents had been encouraging him to find a job and contribute more around the house, though police have not confirmed those accounts.
The suspect’s family confirmed to Local 4 that he is on the Autism spectrum. Some neighbors said they were aware of the diagnosis.
Police said they have no record of previous calls involving the suspect and are unaware of any prior criminal history or documented mental health issues.
One neighbor said the suspect occasionally seemed “off” and would sometimes pace alone outside. Mike said he saw the 25-year-old shortly after the shootings.
“Three minutes after it went down, he had a bleak look - no expression,” he said.
Livonia Police Chief Tom Goralski acknowledged the toll the killings have taken on everyone involved.
“It’s tragic, and our hearts go out to that family,” he said.
The tragedy has left neighbors searching for answers in a city where homicides are rare. Despite a separate homicide investigation in Livonia just a few weeks ago, police said the city had not experienced a homicide in roughly three years.
The family tells Local 4 they’re thankful to the community. They encourage people who hear their story to donate to a mental health organization of their choice.