SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A 25-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder after reportedly beating and stabbing his estranged wife to death at a Shelby Township gas station.
It happened Sunday, Sept. 21, at a Meijer gas station on Hall Road near Hayes Road. Police said the altercation began during a custody exchange between the woman and her ex-husband, both from Utica.
Prosecutors allege Sydney Emmanuel Davis Jr. beat and repeatedly stabbed 23-year-old Fatme Davis.
She was taken to a hospital, where she died from her injuries.
Sydney Davis was arrested in Armada Township. He was charged Wednesday, Sept. 24, with first-degree murder and was denied bond.
His probable cause conference is scheduled for Oct. 7, followed by a preliminary exam on Oct. 14.
Saif Mahmoud said his sister, who went by Stella, had gone to the gas station to exchange custody of their 1-year-old son.
“She just thought that he wanted to see his son,” Mahmoud said. “Her loving her son very much, she did not want to keep him away from the father. She always thought of her son over herself.”
Mahmoud said his sister had separated from Davis, but they weren’t yet legally divorced. He said she had gone to police to try to report him for abuse in the past and believes her death could have been prevented.
“She’s been to police stations many times to report abuse and things of that sort, and it was not taken seriously,” Mahmoud said.
He said their son is now in the custody of Child Protective Services, and the family is working to place him permanently with a relative.
“She was an amazing mother, and she loved her son more than anything in this world,” Mahmoud said. “Everybody loves her son. He is such a beautiful little boy, and my nephew will grow up to remember how beautiful and how much his mother loved him.”
A GoFundMe has been established for the family to help with funeral costs. You can donate here.