WASHTENAW COUNTY, Mich. – A woman charged in the double murder and kidnapping at a Washtenaw County home on New Year’s Day went on a profanity-laced rant Friday during her arraignment.
Shuvonne Vinson was one of the three people arraigned on Jan. 3, 2025, in connection to a shooting that killed two and injured one on Jan. 1.
The homicide and abduction happened at around 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 1, 2025, at a Northfield Township home on Nollar Bend Road.
“This is very rare. I’ve been here over 19 years, and this is our first homicide,” said Lt. David Powell of Northfield Township Police on Thursday.
Background
According to sources and neighbors, the violence stemmed from a child custody dispute.
A young child, reportedly in foster care, had been removed from another individual’s custody.
Sources said three people went to the home to take the child, and during a confrontation, two people caring for two children were shot and killed, and another person was shot and injured.
According to sources, the three suspects left the home with the two children.
Police worked through the night to track down the three suspects and took them into custody. The children, ages 4 and 9, were found and were evaluated at a hospital. They said one child was found in a home and another in a car with two of the suspects.
Police release victims' identities
Police said Jennifer Lyn Bernhard, 48, and Stevie Ray Smith, 74, both of Northfield Township, were killed in the shooting. Bernhard’s husband, 52-year-old Jeffrey Bernhard, was also shot but has since been upgraded to stable condition.
Neighbors told Local 4 that the couple had been hoping to adopt the little girl, and she had been there for “a long while.”
They say the couple and family are incredibly friendly and give back to the community. They’re in shock and saddened by what happened to them.
A GoFundMe has been established to help the family cover funeral expenses. You can donate here.
Suspects charged
Gregory Callahan and Keith Finley were arrested along with Vinson on Wednesday. Callahan was arraigned on Friday and denied bond. Finley refused to be arraigned on Friday and will be scheduled again for arraignment on Saturday.
What happened in court
Washtenaw County Assistant Prosecutor Amy Reiser was explaining to the judge via Zoom why Vinson should not have bond, calling the case, “one of the most horrific crimes I’ve seen in my career.”
Vinson, who was also on Zoom, interrupted Reiser in the beginning, saying “No, I did not,” in response to the murder charges.
Vinson’s lawyer then asked her to stop talking.
However, once Reiser started talking about Vinson allegedly assaulting police officers during her arrest after the murder, Vinson started talking profanely. We transcribed most of what we could hear in the courtroom:
“I don’t care,” Vinson began. “The m----------- f--- with my kids, f--- them and ya’ll.”
“I’m telling you, I’m telling you right now. They f---- with my baby. They lying saying I f------ had my child ‘round a (inaudible). (Inaudible) kids see s----, stop lying b----.”
“These m----------- deserved to die, f------ with my kids, f---- them all.“
“Let me up out of here, I’m done, bro. Like I said, f---- ‘em all. F--- with my baby, I’m not the m----------- that need to be in jail, b----.”
“They need to be in—m----------- who f---- with me, you’ll see. ‘Cause you all on the recording.“
“F---- them dead, m-----------, b----. F--- ‘em.“
“I’m telling ya, f---- ‘em.”
“They assaulted my m-------------- child, b----, and anybody else who would do that s---? (inaudible)“
“Do you hear me? (Inaudible) The f---- you talkin' ‘bout. Let me out.”
She then left the Zoom call.
Vinson was charged with multiple felonies, including open murder, assault with the intent to murder, home invasion and kidnapping.
“l found the allegations very difficult to sit through. While these are allegations, I’m still going to deny bond,” said the judge.
List of charges
Vinson, Callhan, and Finley all face the following charges and face the possibility of life in prison.
- 2 counts of open murder.
- 1 count of assault with intent to murder.
- 1 count of home invasion in the first degree.
- 2 counts of kidnapping -- child enticement.
- 1 count of conspiracy to commit murder.
- 1 count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping -- child enticement.
- 1 count of conspiracy to commit home invasion in the first degree.
- 1 count of carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent.
- 1 count of stolen property -- receiving and concealing a motor vehicle.
- 1 count of felony firearm.
Vinson is facing an additional seven charges:
- 4 counts of assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer.
- 1 count of carrying a concealed weapon.
- 1 count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
- 1 count of possession of ammunition by a prohibited person.
Finley faces an additional count of possession of a firearm by an ineligible person.
Previous coverage can be viewed below:
