Fugitive Accused Of Murdering Man He Asked To Shovel Snow, Chaining Dead Body In Basement

Detroit, MI – A manhunt is underway for a suspect who allegedly gave a man crack cocaine in exchange for shoveling his snow, then beat him to death with a rifle and chained his body to a dog cage in his basement.

The incident occurred in the 9100-block of Stout Street at approximately 6 p.m. on Feb. 13, after Antoine Jamal Powers-McClain asked a man and a woman to shovel snow for him, WDIV reported.

The woman later told police that once they finished the job, Powers-McClain gave them crack cocaine and asked them to come into the basement of his home, according to WDIV.

“He lured them into his home by asking them to do some work for him at his house,” Detroit Police Chief James White told reporters. “Once inside, he held them both there.”

The female victim told police that after they went inside, Powers-McClain beat the male victim in the head with a rifle, WDIV reported.

“He apparently got into some form of confrontation with one of the victims, and that victim… appears to have been beaten to death,” Chief White confirmed.

Powers-McClain then allegedly stripped the dead victim, placed a chain around his neck, and chained his naked body to a dog crate in the basement, according to police.

Investigators said the male victim was in his 50s.

The suspect then allegedly beat the female victim with the rifle and promised to kill her if she spoke about what had occurred, WDIV reported.

The woman said she managed to escape after Powers-McClain drove her to the area of an apartment complex in the 9600-block of Greenfield Road the next day, WJBK reported.

She jumped out and ran for help when the car stopped, according to police.

Chief White said the woman suffered “severe injuries” as a result of the attack, WDIV reported.

She remained in critical condition on Tuesday, according to WJBK.

Investigators recovered the weapon allegedly used to beat both victims, WDIV reported.

Detroit police are now searching for Powers-McClain, who has “a very violent history,” according to the chief.

“He’s somebody we need to get off the street very quickly,” he added. “He’s not somebody to be taken lightly.”

Powers-McClain is described as a black male with shoulder-length black hair who stands five feet, nine inches tall and weighs approximately 170 pounds, WDIV reported.

He should be considered armed and dangerous, Chief White said.