Farmington Hills police arrest man accused of killing his grandmother

A man in his 30s is in custody after police say he allegedly killed his grandmother during a domestic violence-related assault on Tuesday morning in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

The homicide happened at a home on Gilchrest Street near Middlebelt Road around 7:30 a.m. When officers arrived, they found the approximately 78-year-old woman unconscious in the hallway with a severe head injury.

The victim received medical attention on scene but was taken to a local hospital, where she later died from her injuries.

Farmington Hills police say the approximately 33-year-old suspect barricaded himself in a bedroom.

"Officers tried to de-escalate the situation and get him to turn himself over and surrender peaceably. Those efforts failed. Officers utilized pepper ball rounds by breaking a window to the bedroom and discharging those into the bedroom, causing him to suffer the effects of the pepper balls, and he surrendered peaceably after that," said Farmington Hills Police Chief John Piggott.

According to police, the suspect's brother, who is another grandson of the victim, was also in the home.

Investigators are still determining what led up to the altercation, how the victim was murdered, and the suspect's motive.

"Right now, I can't really speak to as to how this all went down, what sparked this this morning. Hopefully, there's some physical evidence that can help us put together exactly what went on today," Piggott said.

Neighbors in the area say they're shocked.

"It's kind of mind-blowing. Seems pretty unusual to me. I mean, you don't hear about this kind of thing every day, that's for sure," said Jeremy Apczynski.

"Kind of freaked out a little bit because we've lived here a long time. Nothing happens," resident Michele said.

The incident remains under investigation.