WYOMING, Mich. — The Grand Rapids Police Department is still searching for the man they believe to be a person of interest in a recent downtown homicide.
Friday, GRPD and Wyoming PD conducted a "high-risk search warrant" in the area of Johanna Avenue SW, in search of 27-year-old Luis "Fabian" Bernal-Sosa.
Todd Haney lives in the house next door to the one police searched. He told 13 ON YOUR SIDE that he saw police officers in SWAT gear running up his driveway around noon.
“My first concerns were hoping that everyone was safe, nobody injured, no fatalities, that was my first initial feeling,” said Haney.
Law enforcement has been searching for Bernal-Sosa in connection to the death of 22-year-old Leah Marie Gomez, who was shot inside of her car in front of her soon-to-be 2-year-old child.
Bernal-Sosa is also wanted on an active warrant for attempting to strangle Gomez prior to her killing.
Detectives found the black Ford Ranger truck police Bernal-Sosa is said to drive.
Wyoming neighbor Deandra McCullom said the investigation leading police into her neighborhood is heartbreaking.
"It's very sad. Knowing that there were kids involved, little babies at that," said McCullom. "They have lost their mother. I do say my prayers and condolences are out to the family as this is very sad and tragic. Not just for the family but to the neighbors and neighborhood as well.”
Grand Rapids Police said they also found two men that may have been witnesses to the crime.
“GRPD would like to thank the management team at Bernal Landscape,” said Chief Eric Winstrom. “The company is not related to the homicide, and they have been fully cooperative with investigators.”
Bernal-Sosa and Gomez were previously dating, and he's believed to be the father of the child who turns 2 years old in August.
The pair have a history of domestic violence, Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom said.
Winstrom said Bernal-Sosa is most likely trying to run or may be hiding close by.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact GRPD detectives at 616-456-3380 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345/ www.silentobserver.org.
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