Lance Clowney II, a 27-year-old Detroit man, has been charged with first-degree murder following the brutal killings of three elderly men in a Detroit basement in February.
The men, all over 60, were found slaughtered in the basement of a residence in the 3100 block of Edsel Street on February 18, 2026. Clowney is accused of using a hammer and a knife to fatally wound the victims—Mark Barnett, 65, Norman Hamlin, 66, and Williams Barrett, 72—before fleeing the scene.
The Brutal Attack and Discovery of the Bodies
The attacks occurred on February 17, when Clowney allegedly assaulted the victims in Hamlin’s home, located in Detroit. Authorities say Clowney struck the victims multiple times with the hammer and knife, inflicting fatal wounds before fleeing the scene. The bodies were discovered the following day, but it wasn’t until weeks later that Clowney was linked to the crime.
At the time of the killings, Williams Barrett’s wife reported him missing on February 18, prompting an investigation. During the search, police were approached by a person who had been attacked in the same home. That individual revealed that Clowney had assaulted him with a hammer. Authorities arrested Clowney after finding him with a hammer, baseball bat, and three phones in his possession.
The Investigation and Clowney’s Criminal History
Detroit police suspected Clowney’s involvement in the deaths due to the violent nature of the attack on the fourth victim. Authorities linked him to the bodies found in the basement of Hamlin’s home after further investigation.
Clowney has a criminal history, including multiple felony convictions for armed robbery, carjacking, and felony firearm possession. He was released from prison in January 2025 after serving time for carjacking and armed robbery.
A Horrific Scene in the Basement
When police arrived at the scene, they discovered the basement covered in blood, indicating the severity of the attack. Detroit Police Cmdr. Rebecca McKay described the assault as particularly violent, stating that the victims had been brutally assaulted.
Despite the horrific scene, neighbors reported hearing nothing unusual leading up to the discovery of the bodies. One local resident, Thomas Barnes, the block club president, expressed his shock: “Didn’t hear a thing. Tragic, especially when it’s right there under your nose, so to speak.”
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Clowney has been charged with first-degree murder, assault with intent to murder, and assault with a dangerous weapon. He was denied bond and remanded to court after prosecutors argued that he posed a significant threat to the community. His next court appearance is a probable cause conference on April 8, followed by a preliminary examination scheduled for April 15.
The investigation into the deaths of the three men continues, and authorities urge anyone with additional information to come forward to assist in the case.
