On a tragic evening in Livonia, Michigan, the life of 22-year-old Tanner Ray Pierce was cut short in an act of violence that also claimed the lives of three of his family members. On June 9, 2026, police were called to a home on Rensellor Road following reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, they were met with a horrific scene. Tanner, his father Sterling Ray Pierce, 58, his mother Holly Marie Kimball, 53, and his 21-year-old girlfriend, Nevaeh May Jaslynn Finch, were all found deceased from multiple gunshot wounds. Tanner and Nevaeh were discovered inside a bedroom, while his parents were found in the backyard. The day of the incident was just a day before what would have been Tanner's 23rd birthday.
The alleged perpetrator of this devastating act was Tanner's older brother, 25-year-old Gage Wade Pierce. According to investigators, Gage exited the residence with his hands raised and informed the responding officers that he had shot his family. He was taken into custody at the scene without further incident. Police recovered a semi-automatic rifle believed to have been used in the killings, along with several other firearms from the home. While Gage had no prior criminal history or documented mental health issues, a contentious relationship with his parents was noted by police as a possible factor. Family members indicated that Gage is on the autism spectrum.
In the days following the tragic event, Gage Wade Pierce was charged with four counts of first-degree murder and felony firearm. During his arraignment, he was denied bond and remanded into custody. Friends and family mourned the loss of Tanner, who was described as a warm-hearted and deeply loved individual. He worked as an operating engineer alongside his father and was saving money with his girlfriend, Nevaeh, with whom he had been for nearly five years, to move in together and start a family. The case against Gage Pierce is currently moving through the legal system, with a probable cause conference and a preliminary examination scheduled to take place. The incident has left the community in shock, with a memorial of flowers and candles growing outside the family's home as a tribute to the four lives lost.
