LIVONIA, Mich. (WXYZ) — A vigil continues to grow outside a Livonia home where four individuals were shot and killed Tuesday, and the suspected gunman — the son and brother of three of the victims — is now in custody.
Police identified the four victims as 58-year-old Sterling Pierce, 53-year-old Holly Kimball, 22-year-old Tanner Pierce and 21-year-old Nevaeh Finch.
Video: Livonia PD: Suspect admitted killing family, had 'contentious relationship' with parents
Officers responded to the home near 7 Mile and Inkster Roads around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, where they found the 25-year-old eldest son of Kimball and Pierce walking out of the family home with his hands above his head.
Livonia Police Chief Thomas Goralski said during a Wednesday press conference the suspect immediately confessed.
"The subject responded and indicated that he had shot his family in the home," Goralski said.
A semiautomatic weapon was recovered on scene. Police say the motive remains unclear, but adds there was a contentious relationship between the suspect and his parents.
Police provide details during a press conference below:
Finch had been in a relationship with Tanner Pierce for nearly five years and largely lived with him at the family home. Her aunt, Shanin Medina, spoke with us by phone Wednesday and said she wants the world to remember her niece as the kind animal lover and smart student she was — not this tragedy.
"She was young — 21 years old. She's just a little girl trying to figure life out," Medina said. "She was the kindest soul we could ever meet. She loved all animals."
Medina described the bond Finch shared with Tanner Pierce and his family.
"Her whole world revolved around Tanner, and we loved her for that because she found somebody that was a good heart and treated her well," Medina said. "She was still figuring life out, and no matter what, it was going to be with Tanner."
Finch's death comes just months after the family lost her grandmother to a heart attack.
"We're still trying to learn how to grieve from that loss, and now this on top of it is a little, a little extreme," Medina said.
Tanner Pierce's side of the family was also reached by phone and said they were still in shock.
The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office says charges could come as soon as Thursday.
Livonia Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan released a statement Wednesday about the incident:
This afternoon we learned the names of the victims of yesterday’s fatal shooting on Rensellor Street – Sterling Ray Pierce, Holly Marie Kimball, Tanner Ray Pierce, and Nevaeh May Jaslynn Finch. My heart breaks for the loss of these beautiful souls, along with the loss of Nicholos Hatcher who was fatally stabbed in our city less than two weeks ago.
While these incidents are unrelated, both serve as a painful reminder of how precious life is and how quickly tragedy can impact families, friends, neighbors, coworkers and entire communities.
I ask all Livonians to keep the victims, their loved ones, and everyone touched by these events in your hearts as they navigate the days ahead.
In times like these, we must come together. We must check in on our family members, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. We must look out for one another, offer support where we can, and remember that healing happens best when a community stands united.
I am grateful for the professionalism and dedication of our Livonia Police Department, Livonia Fire & Rescue, first responders, investigators, dispatchers and support personnel who have worked tirelessly in the aftermath of these incidents while providing care and compassion to those affected. As a result of their dedication, Livonia remains a strong, safe place to live, work and play.
As a community, I am confident we will mourn together, support one another, and move forward together. It is our greatest strength.
Finch's family has set up a fundraiser to help with funeral expenses. You can find it here.
___________
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
