In the small city of Houghton, Michigan, the life of 53-year-old Theron Darrell Duncan was tragically cut short on the evening of November 13, 2023. Duncan, a male resident of Houghton, was discovered deceased in the men's bathroom of a downtown establishment known as the Douglass House Saloon. The cause of his death was a fatal gunshot wound.
Following the discovery, law enforcement officials took a person of interest into custody. This individual was later identified as Evan Dixon, a 59-year-old attorney also from Houghton. Dixon was subsequently arrested and formally charged in connection with Duncan's death. The charges brought against him were severe: one count of first-degree premeditated murder, which carries a potential life sentence, and one count of felony firearm. At his arraignment in the 97th District Court, Dixon was denied bond and remained in custody at the Houghton County Jail.
The legal proceedings that followed were complex, partly due to Dixon's profession as a long-time lawyer in the local community. This led to recusals from both the initial judge and his first public defender, who cited their professional and personal relationships with him. Consequently, a visiting judge was appointed to oversee the case. In the months that followed, Dixon underwent a psychological evaluation to determine his competency to stand trial and was ultimately found competent.
By August 2024, the case against Evan Dixon was bound over to the Houghton County Circuit Court. He pleaded not guilty to the charges in September of that year. As of early 2025, the case was still progressing through the legal system, with discussions around plea negotiations and scheduling for trial taking place. The motive for the shooting has not been publicly disclosed.
