PAW PAW, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — A Lawrence Township man who allegedly killed two people by celebratory gunfire at a New Year’s gathering is now facing two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of felony firearm.
62-year-old Christopher Toppenberg was arraigned on those four felony counts on Wednesday, January 4 with bond set at $1.5 million cash surety.
Authorities say Toppenberg allegedly fired 20 to 25 celebratory rounds from an AR-15 when fireworks were lit at midnight on New Year’s Day.
35-year-old David Reed of Waverly Township and 40-year-old Jason McCreary of Sutter Creek, California were shot and killed from the spray of bullets during the suspect’s small gathering according to investigators.
Van Buren County deputies say Reed, who was shot multiple times in the back, died at the hospital. And McCreary, who was shot in the head, died on scene.
Toppenberg is scheduled to appear again in court mid-January.
