Detroit cop charged after Macomb shooting
Sticks and stones may break your bones, but for one Detroit police officer, words allegedly led him to shoot at a Ray Township couple's home.
Officer Clifford Gullion, 32, was charged Thursday with two counts of discharging a weapon into a building and two counts felony firearm during a video arraignment in 42-2 District Court of Romeo.
Bond is set at $250,000. He is being held at the Macomb County Jail. He faces possible jail time of 10 years for discharging a weapon and an additional two years for the felony firearm charges.
Gullion of Ray Township was arrested early Thursday morning for allegedly firing five shots from a .40 caliber handgun after his wife was involved in a dispute with the homeowners, Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said during a press conference. No one was injured.
Wickersham added it is not known if the handgun was department issued.
"It is extremely bizarre," Wickersham said of the crime. "It sounded like someone's feelings got hurt. He took it upon himself that he was going to send a message to those individuals ... that being firing into the house.
According to Wickersham, Gullion's wife provides in-home medical care to the 62-year-old female who lives with her 61-year-old husband in a house in the 16000 block of 29 Mile near Romeo Plank.
The sheriff said a third party told Gullion's wife the husband made disparaging remarks about her. When Gullion was told of the comments, he began texting and calling the older couple Wednesday evening.
Wickersham said they received a call about the shooting at 2:12 a.m. Thursday. After investigating, deputies went to the officer's home, where he agreed to go to the sheriff's office for an interview.
The officer indicated to deputies he was on a leave of absence from the Detroit Police Department.
Gullion was arrested after the interview.
Detroit Police Chief James Craig said Gullion has been with the department since 2009 but has been on medical leave for several months. The officer most recently worked in the 9th precinct on the city's east side.
The Macomb County Sheriff's Office is handling a criminal investigation into the incident, Craig said. The Detroit Police Department will complete its own internal investigation.
The officer, Craig said, will be placed on unpaid suspension.
Wickersham said: "I truly believe that in law enforcement we all should be held to a higher standard and we have to be able to control our emotions."
Gullion is scheduled to appear in 42-2 District Court on April 28.
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Staff Writer George Hunter contributed.