A 40-year-old Michigan resident, Roger Albert Schweda, has been charged with two counts of open murder and two felony firearms counts following the deaths of his mother and a neighbor. Court records indicate that the victims were Schweda’s 70-year-old mother, Shari Schweda, and 57-year-old Thomas Farnsworth.
The tragic events unfolded in Leoni Township, a small, unincorporated community in the south-central part of Michigan. Schweda is alleged to have shot and killed his mother at their home on Welch Lake Road on a Saturday. Following the incident, Schweda reportedly left a voicemail for Farnsworth, stating that he could not return home because his mother was dead, according to local NBC affiliate WILX.
The case came to the attention of the authorities after Farnsworth requested a welfare check at the Schweda residence. During the call to 911, Farnsworth went to the Schweda home to confirm the address for the dispatchers. It was at this point that he was allegedly shot by Schweda in the driveway. The gunshot was audible over the phone call, but Farnsworth did not speak again.
Following the alleged shooting, Schweda is said to have fled the scene in his mother’s car. The vehicle was later located in a township several miles away. After a brief pursuit, Schweda was apprehended during a traffic stop.
Upon arrival at the Schweda residence, police discovered Farnsworth’s body in the driveway. Inside the house, they found what they described as “a gruesome scene” in the bedroom where Shari Schweda’s body was located.
Schweda is currently being held at the Jackson County Jail without bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on January 3, according to online court records. It is expected that Schweda will undergo a competency exam.