In the early morning hours of Saturday, August 1, 2026, the quiet neighborhood of Redford Township, Michigan, was disturbed by the sound of gunshots. Police responded to the area of Glendale and Woodbine Avenue around 2:35 a.m. Upon their arrival, they discovered 63-year-old Ricky Hammoud inside his Ford Mach-E, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Officers administered first aid until paramedics arrived and transported him to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators quickly determined that the shooting was not a random act of violence, but rather a targeted attack. They believe Hammoud was lured to the location by armed assailants who intended to carjack his vehicle.
The investigation into Ricky Hammoud's death was swift, with detectives working tirelessly over the next five days, piecing together evidence from witness interviews, video footage, and data collection. Their efforts led to the arrest of two individuals from Redford Township in connection with the homicide: 19-year-old Airron Lee Matthews and a 17-year-old male. Matthews was arraigned on August 7 and charged with felony murder and carjacking. His bond was set at $500,000, with the condition of wearing a GPS tether if released. The 17-year-old suspect was taken to the Wayne County Juvenile Detention Center, with a decision pending on whether he will be charged as an adult.
While two arrests have been made, the investigation remains ongoing. Police have indicated that they do not believe Matthews was the primary suspect in the fatal shooting, suggesting that others may have been more directly involved in pulling the trigger. The case has sent ripples of shock and sadness through the community, as friends and family remember Ricky Hammoud as a kind and caring man with a "heart of gold" who was always willing to help others. He was a devoted husband, a skilled machinist, and an avid pool and darts player who loved to dance and spend time with his dogs. The overview of the case is that a beloved member of the community was tragically killed in what appears to be a targeted carjacking gone wrong, and while arrests have been made, the full picture of who was responsible and the exact sequence of events is still under investigation.
