GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A suspect in a June homicide case out of Grand Rapids is now in police custody.
Ronald Armour Jr. is being held in the Kent County Jail on charges of open murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. The 38-year-old is accused of shooting and killing Jeremy Parnell on June 29.
Parnell was one of two people who arrived at a local hospital with gunshot wounds after a reported shooting near Ardmore Street and Thelma Avenue in Grand Rapids.
Witnesses reported multiple people leaving the scene in vehicles. Minutes later the first victim arrived at the hospital.
Officers found a gun and shell casings on the ground at the scene. Investigators determined the shooting ended a birthday party near the area, which also used a party bus, according to court documents.
Family and friends could not get ahold of Parnell for hours after the party. His sister eventually found his vehicle down the street from the shooting scene. Parnell was inside with a gunshot wound to his chest.
He was pronounced dead at the hospital.
A witness who came forward later told police she was outside the party bus when it was parked near Ardmore and Thelma. She said Armour was arguing with a friend before pulling out a gun and shooting Parnell.
That witness later identified Armour out of a photo lineup.
Armour's brother, who was on the party bus at the time, told investigators he heard a gunshot outside the bus. The brother ran out, armed with his own gun, and fired several rounds into the air. Armour's brother says he saw the suspect in a fight with another person. At the time Armour had a gun in his hand, and when he punched the other person, the gun went off.
The brother says Armour claimed Parnell confronted him while armed with his own gun, striking Armour on the head.
During police interviews, Armour claimed he was assaulted by two people, one of whom was armed. Armour denied having a gun, saying he fought off the assailants before leaving the area.
After months of work, the arrest is a major step towards a resolution.
“This arrest is the result of months’ of dedicated work by our GRPD detectives,” said Chief Eric Winstrom. “It serves as another example of GRPD tirelessly pursuing justice for victims of violent crime in our city. I hope this brings a measure of comfort and closure to Jeremy’s family.”
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