In a tragic turn of events on the morning of Tuesday, May 27, 2014, Staff Sgt. Johnny Clyburn, a 41-year-old male, was fatally shot in his home on Detroit's east side. A 21-year veteran of the Air Force, Clyburn was a respected member of the 127th Security Forces Squadron at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. He had just returned from an overnight shift when the incident occurred around 7:30 a.m.
The alleged shooter was identified as his 19-year-old stepson, Antonio Hicks.
In addition to shooting Clyburn, Hicks is also accused of shooting his own mother and Clyburn's fiancée, 40-year-old Nicolina Pace. Despite being shot twice, Pace was able to call 911 and identify her son as the assailant. She was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
Following the shooting, Hicks fled the scene. Detroit Police located and arrested him about an hour later, three miles from the home. After his arrest, Hicks was taken to a local hospital for a mental evaluation. Authorities reported that he had a history of mental illness and may have been off his prescribed medication, which could have been a contributing factor to the incident.
Antonio Hicks was subsequently arraigned on charges of first-degree murder for the death of Johnny Clyburn, as well as assault with intent to murder for the shooting of his mother, and a firearm possession charge. Friends and colleagues remembered Clyburn as a man who loved God, his family, and his country. His commander at Selfridge, Col. Philip Sheridan, described him as a valued member of their team, and the military community offered their support to his grieving family.
