Genesee County Children’s Protective Services (Michigan CPS workers) were called to the scene of a suspected double murder recently, where investigating police officers found two dead women and one unharmed baby.

The incident took place in Flint at about 9:30 in the evening on Tuesday, April 19th. Responding officers arrived at the Ridgecrest Village Townhouses, having been called out for a shooting. Upon entering the home, they found 19-year-old Sacorya Renee Reed and 19-year-old Sasha Avonna Bell shot to death inside the apartment.

But that wasn’t the only thing Flint officers discovered. An uninjured 1-year-old baby was also discovered by police at the scene. CPS in Genesee County was contacted and an agent arrived at the scene to take charge of the baby.

According to a news release from the Flint Police Department, Malek Emmanuel Thornton, an 18-year-old resident of Flint, has been arrested for the murders. He has since been arraigned on five felony counts including two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of open murder, and a single count of felony firearm.

As of now, very little is known about the situation. We do know that Bell was one of the first Flint residents to file a lawsuit in connection with the Flint water crisis. Her claim was that the lead in the water had poisoned her baby.

The investigation is still ongoing. Neighbors told media that in the days leading up to the shooting that the two women and the baby were seen regularly and they seemed to be happy. One neighbor said that they always waved and made friendly small talk with others in the area.

The court will appoint a representative for the child and if there is any family in the area, CPS will likely seek out their assistance in finding a home for the baby. More details will undoubtedly surface as the investigation continues and the case unfolds.