WASHTENAW COUNTY, Mich. – Two people were killed, another person was injured, and two children were abducted from a Northfield Township home Wednesday night.
Three suspects were arrested and will soon be charged.
Here’s what we know so far about the case:
Background
The homicide and abduction happened at around 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 1, 2025, from 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.
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 7, 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.
Suspects arrested, to be charged
Officials said the three suspects could face charges and be arraigned as early as Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, morning.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said their hearts go out to the families and friends of those impacted by the fatal shooting, adding, “While we can’t discuss specific cases due to state and federal laws, MDHHS is committed to ensuring the health and safety of all children and families including foster families and caregivers.”
