In the spring of 2017, the life of 19-year-old Brandon Cross of Ann Arbor, Michigan, was tragically cut short in a fatal shooting. The incident unfolded on the evening of April 2nd at the Glencoe Hills apartment complex located in Pittsfield Township. Reports indicate that what was planned as a robbery for money and marijuana escalated into a homicide, ending with Cross being shot once.
The investigation into the shooting led authorities to three suspects: Xavier Payne, who was 16 at the time, Jeffrey Thurman, and Calvin Vanderhoff. It was determined that the three had conspired to rob Cross. The investigation revealed that Thurman supplied the handgun used in the commission of the crime.
Xavier Payne, identified as the shooter, was ultimately convicted of second-degree murder, felony firearms, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, felony murder, and two counts of solicitation of murder. His initial life sentence was later adjusted to a term of 25 to 60 years in prison due to his age at the time of the offense. While incarcerated, it was discovered that Payne had devised a plot to have the parents of his co-defendants killed.
Jeffrey Thurman and Calvin Vanderhoff both entered into plea agreements with the prosecution. They each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit armed robbery for their roles in the events that led to Brandon Cross's death. Both were sentenced to serve 15 to 30 years in prison.
