Brooke Elaine Lawson was 17 and from Lansing, Michigan. Family remembered her as a strong young woman who cared for others and who enjoyed family trips to Drummond Island. She was described as a loving daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, and friend.

On the evening of December 21, 2023, a dispute at a home in the 1400 block of Ravenswood Drive in Lansing Township ended when a resident, 35-year-old Lydia Renee Nance, called 911 and, while on the line, warned that she would shoot others if they came onto her property. Nance then shot two unarmed women. Brooke was struck in the chest, taken to a local hospital, and died of her injury. A second victim, 20-year-old Autumn Hansbarger, was shot in the hip and survived.

Police who were responding to the 911 call heard the gunfire over the phone and arrested Nance at the scene. Charges included open murder for Brooke’s death, assault with intent to murder for the other shooting, and two counts of felony firearm. Nance was arraigned December 23, 2023, with bond set at $200,000. Defense counsel argued self-defense; prosecutors said Nance had brought a gun to a fistfight. Does anyone have information about Brooke’s last days or the events at Ravenswood Drive on December 21, 2023?