Farmington Hills recorded two homicides in the first half of 2026, the second-highest total among Oakland County communities, according to a mid-year report published July 19 by The Oakland Press.

Only Pontiac, with four cases, had more. Oakland County as a whole saw 10 homicide deaths through June 30, down 28% from 14 during the same period in 2025.

The more recent Farmington Hills case ended in a first-degree murder charge against a grandson accused of killing his 78-year-old grandmother inside her own home.

Middlebelt Road killing: June 30

Ana Nikollbibaj, 78, was found on her bedroom floor with severe head trauma and lacerations after Farmington Hills police responded to a 911 call at her home in the 30000 block of Middlebelt Road around 7:40 a.m. on Tuesday, June 30, according to police. A spent firearm shell was found near her body. She was transported to Crowell Health Farmington Hills, where she was pronounced dead. A bullet was later recovered during her medical examination.

Her grandson, Zeff Nikollbibaj, 34, who lived at the home, is charged with first-degree murder and felony firearm. Police said another grandson, who was also inside the home at the time, called 911 to report the attack. He was not injured.

At a Thursday, July 2, arraignment, 47th District Court Judge Marla E. Parker denied bond, saying there was not "any condition that this court could impose that would address the issue of protection of the public." His attorney had requested a high-cash bond with GPS tether.

Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald called the killing "especially shocking." ClickOnDetroit reported that Macomb County court records show a petition was filed more than three years ago seeking court-ordered mental health treatment for Zeff Nikollbibaj.

He is scheduled to undergo a court-ordered competency evaluation, with a review hearing set for September.

Woodland Hills Park killing: May 3

Richard Alan Harris, 65, was found dead on a trail at Woodland Hills Park on Sunday, May 3. He had been bludgeoned and strangled during the day, according to Oakland County Assistant Prosecutor Meaghan Harris.

More than a month later, on Monday, June 8, police arrested Gabriel Bercea, 23, of Farmington Hills at his workplace in Wixom. Bercea faces a second-degree murder charge. A pre-exam conference was scheduled for Wednesday, July 22; the outcome was not immediately available.

County trend: homicides down from 2025

Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard noted the countywide decline in a statement included in The Oakland Press report, citing a 100% closure rate on homicides in Pontiac over the past 18 months.

In all of 2025, Oakland County recorded 30 homicides, a 30% increase from 2024, based on data from the sheriff's office and other law enforcement agencies.

How to report information

Residents with tips about violent crime in Farmington Hills can contact the police department's investigations unit at 248-871-2770. Anonymous tips go to Crime Stoppers of Michigan at 1-800-SPEAK-UP or online at 1800speakup.org.