WOOD Radio Local News

WOOD Radio Local News

WOOD Radio Local News

 

GRPD chief explains how detectives solved double-murder case

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Nineteen-year-old Casey Harmon Jr. appeared in a Kent County courtroom Tuesday following a pair of shooting deaths in November last year in the Burton Heights neighborhood.

He is charged with two counts of open murder and weapons violations related to the killings of 19-year-old Malik Eubanks and his 20-year-old girlfriend, Anayia Rodriguez. They were shot on two separate streets on Grand Rapids' southeast side.

Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom tells WOOD Radio that detectives worked tirelessly in interviewing witnesses and putting all the pieces of evidence together.

"Fortunately, our detectives were able to go out near his residence (Tuesday) morning, locate him and - with the help of the Kent County Sheriff (Office), actually - put him in custody safely and without incident," Winstrom said.

Grand Rapids Police say a gun and a bloody jacket found by a passerby were two pieces of evidence collected.

Rodriguez's body was found on Melville Street and Eubanks' was located on Horton Avenue. Eubanks' son was later found wandering around a mile away.

Harmon has been in custody since March on unrelated charges.

Below are sold old news release issued by the GRPD giving more detailed background on the case:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 17, 2024

UPDATE Scene 1: Casey Harmon, Jr., aged 19, has been charged with two counts of open murder and an additional felony weapons charge in the deaths of Anayia Rodriguez and Malik Eubanks.

Scene 2: The investigation into the death of Darryl Yarber is ongoing. There are no additional updates at this time.

“I hope these charges bring some closure to the loved ones of Anayia and Malik and will help our city, and this neighborhood in particular, heal from that tragic day,” said Chief Eric Winstrom. “Our GRPD detective team has been working tirelessly for almost a year to bring justice and accountability in these brazen murders. We very much appreciate the assistance and support we’ve received from our community over the course of the investigation. I ask that anyone who may have information connected to Darryl’s murder contact GRPD or Silent Observer so that his loved ones can also have a sense of closure.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 7, 2023

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Yesterday, GRPD responded to two homicide scenes. At this time, it has not been determined if they are connected, though both incidents occurred in the same geographic area of the city. The investigations are ongoing.

Scene 1

At approximately 11:10 a.m., officers were called to the first scene with two victims. Both had been fatally shot and were left lying in the street. Both deaths have been ruled as homicides following the autopsies by the Kent County Medical Examiner.

  • Anayia Rodriguez, aged 20, was located on Melville Street SE near Francis Ave SE.
  • Malik Eubanks, aged 19, was located on Horton Ave SE near Melville Street SE
  • Mr. Eubanks’ child (aged two years, 11 months old) was found wandering alone about a mile away from the crime scene. The child was unharmed but had blood on them. The child is with the mother.
  • At approximately 7:45 p.m. yesterday, an unoccupied vehicle of interest was located in the 900 block of Sherman Street SE.

Scene 2

At approximately 4:00 pm, about an hour after police had cleared the initial scene, another fatal shooting occurred in the 2000 block of Horton Ave SE.

  • Darryl Yarber, aged 32, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
  • Following an autopsy by the Kent County Medical Examiner, the death has been ruled a homicide.

���Yesterday was an incredibly tragic day for this neighborhood and for our city as the lives of three young people were taken from us,” said Chief Eric Winstrom. “I know that many in this neighborhood and elsewhere are fearful following these shocking murders, but at this time, we believe these were very targeted incidents and there is no threat to the broader community. Residents have been very forthcoming with information, and I urge anyone who knows anything to come forward. We can all work together to bring justice for these three victims and their loved ones.”

Anyone with information on these murders is urged to contact the detective unit at (616) 456-3380. Tips can be sent anonymously through Silent Observer at (616) 774-2345/ www.silentobserver.org.

 

          

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