Anthony Foster, a 69-year-old Black male and a veteran of the Vietnam War, was remembered by his family as a loving and funny man who would give you anything. His niece, Angela Gipson, described him as family-oriented and someone who “just loved everything.” His life was cut short alongside his nephew, 41-year-old Devon Gillard, in a violent confrontation inside a Detroit home.
The incident took place in the early morning hours of December 12, 2019.
Inside a residence on Manor Street on the city’s west side, a verbal disagreement broke out between three men. The argument escalated tragically when one of the men allegedly produced a handgun and fatally shot both Foster and his nephew in the head. After the shooting, the gunman reportedly called the victims’ parents, who went to the home but left believing the two men were only sleeping.
Police responded to the scene around 12:30 a.m. after receiving a call from a concerned relative. Upon entering the home, officers discovered Foster and Gillard deceased in the living room. The suspected shooter was found sitting in a living room chair with a handgun beside him. He was taken into custody without incident and allegedly told police that he “had to do it.” Medics arrived and officially pronounced both victims dead at the scene.
The suspect was identified as 44-year-old Sylvester Denard Gilmore, who was reportedly a cousin of the victims. The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office charged Gilmore with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of felony firearm. He was formally arraigned on the charges on December 16, 2019.
The day after the shooting, grieving family members held a vigil to mourn the loss of the two men. As of December 2019, legal proceedings against Sylvester Gilmore had been initiated.
