GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Tuesday, a man has been charged with the murder of a 35-year-old Grand Rapids man back in June, Grand Rapids Police announced.
Ronald Armour Jr., 38, was arrested on charges of open murder and felony firearm.
He's accused of killing 35-year-old Jeremy Parnell in a shooting in south Grand Rapids on June 29.
“This arrest is the result of months’ of dedicated work by our GRPD detectives,” said Chief Eric Winstrom. “It serves as another example of GRPD tirelessly pursuing justice for victims of violent crime in our city. I hope this brings a measure of comfort and closure to Jeremy’s family.”
Officers first heard about the shooting around 12:20 that morning. Police were dispatched to Ardmore Street SE and Thelma Avenue SE for a report of the sound of gunshots.
GRPD said officers found four shell casings on the ground, but no victim.
Court documents show a resident of the street rented a bus for a birthday party. When shots rang out, the group scattered.
Family and friends of Parnell were not able to find him in the chaos. He was later found in his car with a gunshot wound to the left center of the chest. By the time he was transported to the hospital, he was dead.
Another man was also taken to a local hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound that night.
According to court documents, one witness told police she was outside of the party bus when she saw the suspect arguing with her friend. She says she saw the suspect then pull out a gun and shoot Parnell. She identified Armour in a photo lineup as that suspect.
Armour's brother was also on the party bus. When he heard gunshots, he pulled out his own weapon and fired shots into the air. He then found his brother, who was allegedly in a fight. He says Armour was punching someone with a gun in his hand when the gun went off.
Armour apparently told his brother he shot Parnell because Parnell was armed and hit him in the head with the gun.
Armour denies having a gun or shooting a weapon that night. He says he defended himself with his arms, then left the scene, according to documents.
