Man Charged With Throwing Fatal Punch to the Face at Detroit Gas Station

Javonte Rayshawn Barber (DPD photo)

Javonte Rayshawn Barber, 26, of Detroit, has been charged with manslaughter for allegedly punching a man in the face at a gas station on the city's east side. The victim, Samuel Spruill Jr., 44, of Troy, later died.

The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office said the incident occurred around 3:10 p.m. Friday at a Sunoco gas station in the 11600 block of East McNichols.

Authorities allege that a verbal altercation between Barber and the victim escalated, and Barber punched Spruill in the face, causing him to fall and hit his head on the pavement. He was pronounced dead later at the hospital.

Barber was arraigned Monday before 36th District Court Magistrate Joseph Boyer and was given a $100,000 cash/surety bond, along with a GPS tether and house arrest.

A preliminary examination is scheduled for July 17.