GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — Longtime Burton Heights neighbors are fearing for their safety after three people were found dead Monday in their Grand Rapids neighborhood.
"It is surprising because now we're scared because it's right in front of our houses," said two women who wanted to remain anonymous. They live near the scene where a man was shot and killed Monday afternoon. "She's been living in her house for 27 years and nothing like this has ever happened."
The two women 13 ON YOUR SIDE talked to said they called 911 after hearing six shots around 3 p.m.
"She's scared," they added. "She wants to leave this neighborhood now. I'm the same way."
Monday afternoon's deadly shooting happened just hours after two other bodies were found by investigators.
A man and a woman were found dead in two different locations.
One body was in the road at Melville Street Southeast and Horton Avenue Southeast.
The other, nearby at Melville St. SE and Francis Ave. SE.
"I'm just praying for better days, you know, just praying for better days that things start to get better," said Latanya Kendall, who lives near where the first two people killed were found. "I think it takes the community to come together. Just push, push for better days... And stay in prayer."
Authorities have confirmed they located a vehicle of interest in the incident. They towed a vehicle, a black Jeep, away to process and investigate it.
Grand Rapids Police Department Chief Eric Winstrom added they believe there is no danger to the community, but for neighbors to be vigilant.
"I will say these don't appear to be random at all. We haven't pieced together exactly how they fit together. But I don't think there's any danger to the community at-large. Like I said, having said that, I do I do want the community just like the police. We're gonna be extra vigilant tonight moving forward until we have this offender or offenders in custody."
The sudden burst of violence, the chief said, has neighbors coming together to cooperate.
"We have a lot of help from the community. They're giving us various information on what they saw. That does include some vehicles which were leaving the area we're sorting through. which one of those could have been victims or potential witnesses that left the area in which could be suspects."
If you have any information, you're asked to call the Grand Rapids Police Department or Silent Observer to remain completely anonymous.
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