In a chilling case unfolding from Detroit, three men in their sixties were viciously murdered in a basement back in February. Authorities assert that a man, armed with a hammer and knife, was responsible for the savage attack. This suspect, originally detained for a different assault within the same home, now confronts a first-degree murder charge.

The accused, 27-year-old Lance Clowney II, allegedly carried out the brutal assault on February 17 at a house on the 3100 block of Edsel Street. He fled immediately after the incident, as detailed by the Wayne County prosecutor in a official statement.

The victims’ bodies were found a day later, but Clowney wasn’t linked to the crime until weeks after. It was only following his arrest for assaulting a fourth individual in the same house that authorities connected him to the murders. The Detroit Police Department’s thorough investigation culminated in Clowney’s murder charge last week.

Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced charges against Clowney for the slayings of Mark Barnett, 65, Norman Hamlin, 66, both from Detroit, and Williams Barrett, 72, from River Rouge. The prosecutor’s report claims that Clowney attacked the victims at Hamlin’s residence using a hammer and knife, leading to their deaths, before making his escape.

The tragic discovery began when Barrett’s wife reported him missing on February 18, which led police to Hamlin’s house where the bodies were located. During their investigation into the missing person’s case, officers were approached by another victim who had survived an attack at the same location. This individual identified Clowney as the assailant who had beaten them with a hammer, as noted by the prosecutor’s office.

Upon apprehension, Clowney was allegedly found in possession of a hammer, a baseball bat, and three mobile phones, further implicating him in the crimes.

Due to the “assaultive nature” of the attack on the fourth victim, cops said they believed Clowney was connected to the three bodies found in the basement. Court records show that he has multiple felony convictions for armed robbery, carjacking, felony firearm possession and fleeing police. Clowney was released from prison in January 2025 after being sentenced to five to 15 years for the carjacking and armed robbery convictions; he pleaded guilty to assault and battery in May and was sentenced to 40 days in jail, with a judge giving him credit for time served.

“It does not appear that the bodies were brought there,” Detroit Police Cmdr. Rebecca McKay told reporters at a press conference after the three seniors were found dead at Hamlin’s home. “It appears that the assault happened inside of the home.”

Sources told local ABC affiliate WXYZ that the residence and basement were covered in blood following the killings.

“[The victims] had apparently been brutally assaulted,” McKay said.

Neighbors told media outlets they didn’t see or hear anything out of the ordinary leading up to the discovery.

“Didn’t hear a thing,” said block club president Thomas Barnes in an interview with WXYZ. “Tragic, especially when it’s right there under your nose, so to speak.”

Online court records show that Clowney is currently facing charges of first-degree murder, assault with intent to murder and assault with a dangerous weapon. He was remanded to court and denied bond after prosecutors said he was a threat to the community.

Clowney’s next court date is a probable cause conference scheduled for April 8. A preliminary examination is set for April 15.