DETROIT – A man suspected of being connected to the murders of two women and a child has entered a guilty plea.
Edward Redding has pleaded guilty to unlawful transport of firearms in federal court. The plea was in relation to a federal gun charge; he has not yet been charged with murder.
Redding was arrested after his ex-girlfriend, her niece, and her mother were found dead in April on Detroit’s west side. Police said the two women were shot in the head and the 9-year-old girl’s throat had been slashed.
The bodies were burned beyond recognition
Redding has not yet been charged with their murders, but the federal firearms case against him stemmed from his April arrest.
He still faces fleeing and eluding charges.
High-speed chase, arrest
According to a criminal complaint, Redding’s vehicle was spotted by Michigan State Police on I-75 in Detroit, where they attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle sped off. Redding allegedly drove erratically and passed a vehicle on the shoulder before taking the Schaefer Highway exit at 50 mph. Police said he ran several red lights on Schaefer Highway before driving south in the northbound lanes of Fort Street for several blocks, entering a U-turn the wrong way and driving north in the southbound lanes.
Redding allegedly lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the median at Schaefer Highway, where he attempted to run away but was taken into custody.
A revolver was reportedly found inside the vehicle. Police said Redding told them he ran because he’s on parole and didn’t know about the gun before admitting the gun was the reason he fled from police.
He reportedly said the gun wasn’t his and that he planned to give it back to whoever left it in his car and since he pushed the gun under the seat, his DNA and fingerprints would likely be on the gun.
Redding was charged with felon in possession of a firearm but pleaded guilty to unlawful transport of firearms on Monday, Sept. 15. He faces up to 10 years in prison.
He will be sentenced Jan. 13, 2026.