The Grand Rapids Police Department has confirmed the identity of a woman killed in a triple shooting on the city's southeast side last week, in an event that has left the local community shaken. 55-year-old Tracey Broyles was fatally shot last Thursday near the 900 block of Pastiche Drive SE, an area just off Eastern Avenue in Grand Rapids. Two other victims, identified as her adult sons, were also injured in the incident but are expected to recover.
According to the Kent County Medical Examiner, Broyles' death has been ruled a homicide. In a plea for the community's assistance, Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom told FOX 17, "I believe that these individuals were targeted, that they were known to the offender in this case." The area reportedly contained numerous shell casings, suggesting to have involved more than one weapon. Winstrom expressed his concern for the unnecessary escalation to violence: "It sounds like when we do have the complete story, it'll be one that there's no reason it should have ended in gunfire, much less a murder and multiple people shot."
As investigators continue to piece together the circumstances that led to the deadly shooting, GRPD has emphasized that this was not a random act of violence but appears to be targeted. Speaking to the gravity of the situation, Chief Winstrom said in a statement obtained by WZZM 13, "I think when we figure out what the motive is, it's not going to make any sense." He added, reflecting on the grief of those left behind, "It's certainly going to bring little to no comfort to the family who's out here crying tonight."
The sorrow and confusion felt by the Grand Rapids community were further compounded by the revelation that Broyles was not just a mother but a grandmother. Winstrom expressed his fears regarding potential retaliation, telling WOOD TV, "Whether they were masked or not, whether an immediate identification was known to the victims is unknown to me at this time but in those types of circumstances retaliation is always a big fear of mine."
The GRPD's Major Case Team is currently investigating the crime and has made no arrests thus far. The department is urging anyone with information to come forward and contact the GRPD at 616.456.3400 or to provide tips anonymously through Silent Observer at 616.774.2345.
