Antonio Askew
By: Gena Johnson | Warren Weekly | Published February 21, 2024
WARREN — On Feb. 20, a Warren man was arraigned in the 37th District Court on murder and weapons charges after his wife was fatally shot in their home near Nine Mile and Dequindre roads.
Antonio Askew, 41, of Warren, was charged with second-degree murder, a felony punishable up to life in prison, and felony firearms, a two-year mandatory felony, for allegedly killing his wife, Eboni Askew, 34.
On Feb. 16, Warren police were dispatched to the 2000 block of Pearl Avenue at approximately 9 p.m. There they found Eboni Askew deceased in an upstairs bedroom with one bullet wound in the chest, according to Warren Police Commission William Dwyer.
“There is extensive police history at the home, primarily for domestics between the two of them,” Dwyer said. “In fact, we were out at the home earlier in the day.”
The commissioner said, “(When) we (police) arrived the suspect was outside, and he provided the (hand) gun he used. He admitted to shooting her but initially claimed self-defense.”
Antonio Askew did not have a license for the handgun, according to Dwyer.
Eboni Askew’s three sons — two teenagers and one 8-year-old — were reportedly inside of the home. Her three daughters were not there at the time. According to police, Antonio Askew was not the father of Eboni Askew’s children. The children were placed with relatives, and Michigan Children’s Protective Services was notified.
“This is our first homicide of the year (in Warren), a domestic situation,” Dwyer said. “A sad situation that these types of domestics end up the way this one did, in many cases.”
At the arraignment, Judge Steve Bieda set bond for Antonio Askew at $500,000 cash or surety.
Askew’s attorney, Delicia Taylor Coleman, said, “The initial reports were factually inaccurate of him throwing plates and being the perpetrator of domestic violence. He has been a repeated victim of domestic violence, and we are looking forward to our day in court.”
In a prepared statement, Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido said, “I will vigorously pursue justice for victims of domestic violence. We will not tolerate such behavior in our society, and we will work tirelessly to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.”
At press time, Askew was in the Macomb County Jail awaiting a probable cause conference scheduled for Tuesday, March 5, at 8:30 a.m. before Judge Michael Chupa, after the Warren Weekly went to press. A preliminary exam was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. March 12. Both hearings are in 37th District Court in Warren.