On a tragic afternoon in Orangeville Township, Michigan, 73-year-old Gary L. Peake was fatally shot at his residence. The events unfolded on June 21, 2019, when deputies from the Barry County Sheriff's office were dispatched to the area of Lewis and Lindsey roads following reports of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they discovered the body of 21-year-old Bryce DeGood in the roadway.
The investigation led the deputies to a nearby home where they found Gary Peake, who had also succumbed to
a gunshot wound. The male suspect, identified as 63-year-old Jon Burnett, a neighbor of Peake, was taken into custody shortly after the discovery.
Burnett was subsequently charged with two counts of open murder, felony firearm charges, assault by strangulation, and felonious assault. The latter charges stemmed from alleged threats he made to other individuals in the vicinity. During the legal proceedings, a $10 million bond was set for Burnett.
The motive for the shootings remained under investigation, with multiple law enforcement agencies involved. Burnett's wife indicated that her husband had a history of head injuries, which she speculated might have been a contributing factor to his actions. She also expressed that she and her husband had considered Gary Peake to be a friend, adding a layer of complexity and tragedy to the violent events that transpired that day.
