A 25-year-old Humble man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for shooting and killing his cousin inside a Sugar Land recording studio in 2021, according to the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office.
A Fort Bend County jury convicted Christian Perry Menifee of murder in the death of Tyler Hicks, a 19-year-old aspiring musician who was shot multiple times while gathered with family and friends.
According to prosecutors, the shooting happened May 15, 2021, inside a recording studio located at a boxing gym in Sugar Land. Menifee and Hicks were among a group of relatives and friends at the studio when Menifee pulled out a gun and fired at Hicks 12 times.
Several people witnessed the shooting, including a music producer who was inside the room. During the trial, witnesses testified that everything had been peaceful before Menifee began shooting.
Investigators with the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office recovered surveillance footage showing Menifee leaving the studio with a gun in his hand as witnesses fled ahead of him. Authorities said Menifee discarded the weapon, which was recovered several days later.
Menifee fled to his home in Humble, where he was arrested the following day.
During the trial, a firearms expert testified that shell casings recovered from the studio matched the gun investigators found. Menifee admitted to killing Hicks but argued that he acted in self-defense.
The jury ultimately rejected that defense and found him guilty of murder.
“I want to thank the jury for holding Christian Menifee accountable for his actions,” lead prosecutor Justin Foster said. “The jury was also a voice for Tyler Hicks, who was only 19 years old, an aspiring musician who had his whole life ahead of him, and which was tragically cut short by the defendant’s senseless actions.”
