On a tragic evening in Livonia, Michigan, the life of 58-year-old Sterling Ray Pierce was brought to a violent end. On June 9, 2026, police were called to his home on Rensellor Street after receiving multiple reports of gunfire. Upon their arrival, they were met with a shocking scene. Sterling's 25-year-old son, Gage Wade Pierce, exited the home with his hands raised and informed the officers that he had shot his family. Inside the residence and in the backyard, law enforcement discovered a horrific quadruple homicide. Sterling Ray Pierce and his wife, 53-year-old Holly Marie Kimball, were found deceased in the backyard. Inside the home, in a bedroom, lay the bodies of their other son, 22-year-old Tanner Ray Pierce, and his 21-year-old girlfriend, Nevaeh May Jaslynn Finch. All four victims had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. A dog was also discovered inside the home with a gunshot wound to its leg but was expected to survive.
The investigation into the devastating event quickly centered on Gage Pierce, who was taken into custody at the scene without incident. A semi-automatic rifle, believed to be the weapon used in the killings, was recovered from the home, along with several other firearms. Neighbors and friends of the family were left in disbelief, describing the Pierce family as hardworking and kind. Sterling Pierce was a former contractor, and his wife, Holly Kimball, was a registered nurse. Their son Tanner worked as an operating engineer alongside his father and had been saving money with his girlfriend, Nevaeh, with hopes of moving in together and starting a family. While Gage Pierce had no prior criminal history, and police had not previously been called to the home, investigators learned of a "contentious relationship" between him and his parents. Friends noted that in the week leading up to the tragedy, Gage had made some strange social media posts, including one that mentioned an argument with his family. Some neighbors mentioned that his parents had been encouraging him to find a job and contribute more around the house. His family also confirmed that he is on the Autism spectrum.
Following his arrest, Gage Wade Pierce was charged with four counts of first-degree murder and four counts of felony firearm. During his arraignment, he was denied bond and remanded into custody. The prosecution will be handled by the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, which has vowed to aggressively prosecute the case, calling it a "domestic violence mass homicide." This case has shaken the community of Livonia, a city where homicides are a rare occurrence. The tragic loss of four lives, including Sterling Ray Pierce, at the hands of a family member has left friends, relatives, and the community mourning and searching for answers. The legal proceedings against Gage Pierce are ongoing, with a probable cause conference scheduled as the next step in the judicial process.
