WASHTENAW COUNTY, Mich. – Explosive outbursts set the tone as 42-year-old Shuvonne Vinson faced 19 felony charges Friday in connection with a devastating crime that rocked Northfield Township earlier this week.
Vinson is charged in connection with the murders of Jennifer Bernhard, 42, and Stevie Smith, 74, along with the attempted murder of Jeffrey Bernhard, 52, and the abduction of two young children.
“F them. Dead mother F…,” Vinson yelled during her arraignment. “They F-ing had my child; F them… b****.”
Prosecutors allege that on Wednesday (Jan. 1) night, Vinson, along with Keith Finley, 60, a registered sex offender, and Gregory Callahan, 37, stormed the Bernhard home on Nollar Bend Road, each armed with guns.
--> ‘Deserve to die’: Woman charged in Washtenaw County double murder, kidnapping goes off during court
Their goal was to take back Vinson’s 4-year-old daughter, who had been removed from her custody.
Sources say the Bernhards had been fostering the child and hoped to adopt her.
“She literally murdered a mother in front of her daughter,” prosecutors said. “She killed two individuals in front of the two minor children.”
Jennifer and Stevie were killed in their home, but Jeffrey survived and managed to get to a neighbor’s house to call 911, prosecutors said.
The trio reportedly stole jewelry, phones, and credit cards, said prosecutors, before kidnapping the 4-year-old foster child and the Bernhard family’s 9-year-old daughter.
Police located both children safe at a home in Ypsilanti Township hours later. But even after being apprehended, Vinson allegedly continued to lash out, threatening officers' lives.
“She spit on one of the officers, had a weapon on her, and was trying to get to the weapon after they had her in custody,” said prosecutors.
Vinson has a criminal record spanning at least two decades for drug, weapons, and assault charges and attacking police officers.
At the time of her arrest, she had 25 active warrants.
Her co-defendant, Gregory Callhan, tried to downplay his involvement during his arraignment, and Keith Finley, a registered sex offender, refused to be arraigned.
In the wake of this tragedy, the Bernhard and Smith families turn to their faith for comfort.
“In moments such as these, we hold fast to the words of Christ: ‘In this world, you will have trouble, but take heart—I have overcome the world,’” the family said in a statement.
The community has launched a fundraiser to help cover funeral expenses, hospital bills, and other costs.
To donate, please visit the family’s GoFundMe page.
“Out of respect for my family, I don’t know that there is anything else for me to say other than that my cousin Jenny and my great uncle Steve were kind, caring, genuine, selfless, God-fearing, and the most loving.
Anna Fanelli to Local 4
My great uncle Steve served others his whole life with his wife Linda through missions, and they passed those characteristics down to their kids. He was witty and funny and deeply involved in his community. I was blessed to see him on Christmas Eve and just a few days ago at Jenny’s on NYE.
My cousin Jenny was full of love and Jesus’ Light. She was an amazing cook and took after her mom. She was sweet and soft, and her and my cousin Jeff always wanted to help people. They never hurt anyone in their life; all they wanted to do was better those around them.
The only fact bringing me comfort is knowing that when they saw Jesus face to face, He said to them, Well done, my good and faithful servants because they lived their lives serving the Lord.
Taken from us too soon and too tragically and it will leave a hole in our family without them.
I appreciate you sharing the gofundme and bringing attention to this tragedy."
