HOUGHTON, Mich. — A former Michigan attorney will spend much of the rest of his life behind bars after a night of drinking at a Houghton saloon ended with him fatally shooting his friend in a bathroom.
Evan Dixon, 62, was sentenced Monday, Aug. 31, to 18 to 40 years in prison for the death of 53-year-old Theron Duncan, according to online court records.
The shooting happened on Nov. 11, 2023, at the Douglass House Saloon in Houghton, where Dixon and Duncan had been drinking.
What began as an apparently casual evening took a deadly turn after a conversation involving Dixon’s dog, Hazel.
Dog Joke Came Before the Shooting
According to a Houghton Police Department incident report, Dixon had brought Hazel with him to the bar that night. Shortly before 6 p.m., security footage showed Duncan leaving the saloon with the dog and taking Hazel to his nearby apartment.
When Duncan returned to the bar, he reportedly joked that he was going to hold Dixon’s dog for ransom. The comment initially appeared to be nothing more than a joke between friends.
Security footage reportedly captured Dixon responding by pointing his fingers toward Duncan’s head in the shape of a gun. According to the incident report, Dixon told the bartender, “I’ll pop him.” The people present laughed at the exchange.
But roughly an hour later, the situation took a devastating turn.
Friend Shot Inside Saloon Bathroom
Prosecutors said Dixon ultimately shot Duncan inside the bathroom of the Douglass House Saloon. The incident report describes what happened immediately afterward. When Dixon emerged from the bathroom, he reportedly lay down behind the bar and began screaming.
“Call 911,” he said, according to the report. “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.”
When he was asked why he had shot Duncan, Dixon reportedly gave an explanation centered on the earlier dispute.
“He said he would not give my dog back,” Dixon answered.
The bartender reportedly responded that Duncan had only been joking. By then, however, Duncan had been fatally wounded.
Former Attorney Pleads No Contest to Murder
Dixon faced multiple serious charges following the shooting.
As part of a plea agreement with prosecutors, he pleaded no contest in June to one count of second-degree murder in Houghton County District Court.
In exchange for the plea, prosecutors agreed to dismiss charges of first-degree premeditated murder and felony firearm possession, according to local reports.
The second-degree murder conviction means Dixon will now spend decades in prison, with his sentence set at 18 to 40 years. Court records show Dixon received 24 months and 293 days of credit for time already served.
Duncan’s Daughter Remembers Her Father
During Monday’s sentencing hearing, Duncan’s daughter, Chinea Duncan, spoke about the impact her father’s death has had on the family.
She remembered him as a devoted father and grandfather who looked forward to being present for important moments in his family’s life.
“My dad always came home and he loved coming home to be there for my son’s football games,” she said.
She also remembered the affection he showed her and said she would always cherish the way he called her “mama.” Her comments offered a glimpse into the life lost beyond the circumstances of the shooting.
Dixon Says He Cannot Explain What Happened
Dixon also addressed the court during his sentencing. He said he still does not understand why he killed his friend.
“I thought I had woken up in another alternate universe,” Dixon said.
He added that he could not explain what happened but insisted, “I’m not insane.” His comments came nearly two years after the shooting and shortly before he was ordered to begin serving his lengthy prison sentence.
Restitution Ordered for Duncan’s Family
In addition to the prison term, Dixon was ordered to pay $14,349.56 in restitution to Duncan’s family for funeral expenses, according to online court records.
The sentence closes the criminal case surrounding a shooting that began with what appeared to be a harmless joke but ended with a longtime friend losing his life.
Dixon’s plea avoided the possibility of a first-degree murder conviction, but the second-degree murder sentence still means he is likely to spend a significant portion of the remainder of his life in prison.
For Duncan’s family, the sentencing marks another painful chapter in a case that took away a father, grandfather and friend.
What do you think about the circumstances that led to this tragic shooting? Share your thoughts in the comments.
