Clevee Chick: Murder on Christmas Eve
Don't Open The DoorA get-together at Miami Hills Apartments in South Bend, Indiana, was meant to be just that - a small holiday gathering with friends and family. Instead, it ended with gunfire, grief and a community left reeling.
On Christmas Eve 2015, Clevee Chick was inside a third-floor apartment with family members, including young children, when an argument broke out. As two men, later identified as Bruce Thomas III and Tyshawn Williams, left the apartment, shots were fired.
The shocking murder will feature in Crime+Investigation’s brand new series, Don’t Open The Door. Join us as we deep dive into that fateful evening and explore the motive behind the killing, investigation and trial.
Who was Clevee Chick?
Indiana-based Clevee Chick was just 26 years old at the time of his murder and had his whole life ahead of him. His friends and family described him as outgoing and friendly. The victim loved good nights out and spending time with his group of friends.
However, on that tragic night, Clevee was at a family member’s home among people he trusted. In a matter of moments, he became the victim of gunfire that stunned the community. But what happened to Clevee? Why was this young man from Indiana shot down?
The shooting
After the argument at his apartment, Clevee was shot and later died of his wounds. The scene was chaotic: children were present, neighbours were stunned, and what should have been the most festive night of the year turned into a homicide investigation.
But was this just a random act of aggression? Or was this attack planned?
What prosecutors painted at the time was not a random act but the bitter culmination of a dispute. Police reports and court coverage indicate the shooting followed an argument inside the flat.
When Thomas and Williams walked away, multiple shots were fired at the door area, one of which hit and killed Chick.
At the time, investigators treated the case as a homicide tied to that confrontation rather than a premeditated ambush, a heated exchange that carried fatal consequences. The presence of kids during the shooting made the crime especially shocking for the community.
The investigation
Local police moved swiftly. Detectives interviewed witnesses, pieced together a timeline and identified suspects early on.
The fact that multiple people were present, and that two men fled the scene, gave officers leads to follow. Within weeks, South Bend police had filed charges: both Bruce Thomas III and Tyshawn Williams were named in connection with Chick’s death.
The case drew steady local media attention, not only because of the date and the young age of the victim, but also because the murder happened at Clevee's own home, a place where you’re meant to feel safe.
Community members demanded answers, and prosecutors prepared a case that would hinge on witness testimony, ballistics and the sequence of events that night.
Trial and verdict
The prosecution’s case went to trial in mid-2016.
Bruce Thomas III was tried first. The jury heard testimony about the party, the argument and the shots fired as the defendants left. Witness accounts and physical evidence convinced the jury that Thomas was responsible for Clevee's death.
In July 2016, a jury found Thomas guilty of murder. The conviction marked a painful milestone for the victim's family. A legal acknowledgement that their loss was the result of criminal violence, but a realisation that they could never get back their beloved son.
Williams, meanwhile, also faced murder charges. His legal proceedings ran on a similar track.
Love true crime? Stay in the know with the Crime+Investigation Newsletter! Get exclusive access to new articles, episodes, clips, competitions, and more—delivered weekly and completely free. Don't miss out—sign up today!
