On a tragic evening in Flushing, Michigan, 44-year-old Elizabeth Hale's life was cut short during an armed robbery. The incident, which sent shockwaves through the community, took place on March 20, 1978, at the Sunshine Grocery Store. Hale, a female, was not the only victim of this violent crime. Two other individuals, Robert Shepp Jr., aged 18, and Shirley Parvin, aged 51, were also fatally shot.
The events unfolded at approximately 7:50 p.m.
when two assailants entered the grocery store. Witnesses in a nearby parking lot reported hearing the sound of gunshots and seeing two men flee the scene in a vehicle. The brutal triple homicide prompted an intensive investigation by law enforcement. The thorough police work led to the identification and arrest of two suspects: Michael Joe Prast and Ricky Newell.
Following their apprehension, both Prast and Newell were charged with three counts of first-degree murder. The subsequent legal proceedings garnered significant media attention. During the trial, prosecutors presented a compelling case that included witness testimonies and a confession from Prast. Despite attempts by the defense to suppress this evidence, the court admitted it. Ultimately, the jury found both Michael Joe Prast and Ricky Newell guilty on all counts.
As a result of their convictions, both men were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Years after the tragic event, it was reported that one of the convicted murderers, Ricky Newell, died while serving his sentence. The case of Elizabeth Hale, Robert Shepp Jr., and Shirley Parvin remains a dark chapter in the history of Flushing, a reminder of a senseless act of violence that claimed three innocent lives.
