Man pleads guilty to manslaughter after punch at Detroit gas station kills Troy man Sentencing scheduled for April
Javonte Rayshawn Barber (WDIV)
DETROIT – A man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter after a man he punched at a Detroit gas station died.
It happened June 27 at a gas station on East McNichols Road , near Gunston Avenue, just outside Coleman A Young International Airport.
Police said there was an argument between Javonte Rayshawn Barber and Samuel Spruill Jr. that escalated to violence. Barber reportedly punched Spruill in the face, causing him to fall and hit his head on the pavement.
Spruill was taken to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Barber was charged with manslaughter, a charge he later pleaded guilty to on March 4, 2026.
He is scheduled to be sentenced April 1.
Copyright 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.
About the Author Dane Kelly headshot
Dane Kelly is an Oreo enthusiast and producer who has spent the last seven years covering Michigan news and stories.
Don't get caught slipping Local 4 anchor Ty Steele gives visual of severe storm Meteorologist Bryan Schuerman reports strong winds as severe storms move through his neighborhood Brother remembers powerful bond with sibling killed in I-75 crash Witness describes fatal shooting inside Fairlane Town Center 2 dead, 1 injured in shooting at Fairlane Town Center Dearborn setting curfews, increasing enforcement for 4th of July Good Samaritans rescue boy off Belle Isle Woman found hiding in bushes after fatally stabbing man outside apartment Young adults tour with Usher, gain backstage experience Loved ones mourn family of 4 killed in crash on I-75 Still scorching in Metro Detroit: Viewer cooling hacks Ex-boyfriend pleads guilty to murder of London Thomas Experience a Salute to America in Greenfield Village Wreck on I-75 kills 2 adults, 2 kids in Holly USMNT Advances to World Cup Round of 16 Doctors say to drink water every 15 to 20 minutes to stay hydrated Pregnant worker claims workplace retaliation, found secret microphone Why Red Oaks cut hours during a dangerous heatwave Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Don Felder talks about "Hotel California" Previous video Next video