Cop Allegedly Shoots Up House to Avenge Wife's Hurt Feelings

Detroit Police Officer Clifford Gullion faces two felony charges and was placed on unpaid suspension from his job after allegedly shooting at a house where his wife provides in-home health care. (Macomb County Jail photo)

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An off-duty Detroit cop has been charged in a bizarre drive-by shooting after allegedly firing five bullets into a Ray Township house occupied by a couple who had reportedly hurt his wife’s feelings, police said at a news conference Thursday.

Two people – a 61-year-old man and his wife, 62 – were inside the home in the 16000 block of 29 Mile about 2:10 a.m. Thursday when Officer Clifford Gullion, 32, allegedly fired a 40-caliber handgun from the window of his vehicle.

No one was injured, according to reports in the The Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press.

Gullion was arraigned Thursday in 42-2 District Court in Romeo on two felony firearms charges that could put him behind bars for a decade. Bond was set at $250,000, and Gullion was still listed as an inmate on the Macomb County Jail website Friday morning. His next court date is April 28.

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At the news conference, Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said there had been a personality clash between Gullion’s wife, who provides in-home health care for the woman living in the fired-on home, and the woman’s husband.

Gullion allegedly learned of the disparaging remarks that had been made about his wife from a third party, and “that is what set off the suspect,” Wickersham said.

“It is extremely bizarre,” the sheriff said. “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.”

It is unknown if the gun allegedly used in the crime was issued by the Detroit Police Department, where Gullion has worked since 2009. Police Chief James Craig said at the news conference his department is conducting its own internal investigation.

Gullion has been on medical leave for the past several months, and has now been placed on unpaid suspension, Craig said.

Wickersham said law enforcement “should be held to a higher standard” than civilians. “We have to be able to control our emotions,” he said.