Ex-Michigan State basketball star accused of murder in Detroit captured after manhunt

A former Michigan State basketball player is in custody following a recent murder, law enforcement officials said.

On May 22, according to Detroit police, Keith Appling, 29, got into an argument that turned into a fight with 66-year-old Clyde Edmonds, who police said is a relative, WILX-TV reported.

Appling allegedly shot at Edmonds several times, striking and killing him.

Michigan State Police took Appling into custody on the morning of May 24 following a manhunt and a gun was recovered, authorities said.

According to WILX-TV, at the time of the murder, Appling was serving 18 months of probation in connection with a February 2020 drug charge. In 2017, Appling was sentenced to a year behind bars for carrying a concealed weapon and resisting police.

Retired Detroit Assistant Police Chief Steve Dolunt called Appling’s alleged troubles with the law a “very sad set of circumstances.”

“I’m sure [former teams] are like, ‘What happened to you since you left?’ Because he was one of [their] top prospects and this goes beyond basketball,” he told WDIV-TV. “It’s life and the poor guy made the wrong decisions.”

The Detroit native played four seasons and 142 college games with Michigan State Spartans basketball program. He was twice named to All-Big 10 teams. Appling then went on to play five games for the NBA's Orlando Magic after going undrafted in 2014. He had a brief oversees basketball career as well.