TAYLOR, Mich. – A 22-year-old man is dead after a fight between friends early Tuesday morning on Clippert Street in Taylor.
A 23-year-old man is being held by Taylor police after he allegedly confessed to fatally stabbing his friend about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday. The victim, Alex Gardner, suffered one stab wound and was rushed to Oakwood Beaumont Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Most of the neighbors on Clippert Street said they didn't even hear anything. They had no idea a young man was stabbed and killed overnight on their street.
However, neighbor Beth Jeffrey did see paramedics rushing to try to save Gardner.
"They were going at it. There was a few of them around. And then (the ambulance) did take off while I was still outside and head to the hospital," said Jeffrey.
Police said there were about six guys hanging out, including Gardner. A fight erupted and Gardner was stabbed with a 7-inch knife. He was stabbed at least once. That knife was left in the street.
Police: 23-year-old confessed to stabbing
Police said the 23-year-old man in custody confessed to the stabbing. Investigators do not know what led up to the fight and stabbing.
The suspect's step-grandfather said his step-grandson is the one who called 911.
"He had the phone and he was trying to call the police or somebody," said the step-grandfather.
Family devastated
Gardner's mother said he loved his family and was extremely close to his 10-year-old sister. He had just enrolled in classes at Wayne County Community College and also recently got a full-time job at Walmart. He life was just beginning.
The family is accepting donations for Gardner's funeral -- donate here.
Here is a statement his mother on the GoFundMe page:
I am writing to let you know about Alex Gardner. Alex is our son and has had many challenges in life. One of the biggest moments was seeing him fight for him to take education in his own hands and graduate with a high school degree. Alex had a great heart and would bend over backwards to help those who wouldn't even ask for help. He, one time, helped a friend take a shower because their arm was in a cast and never complained about it. Alex started a full-time job and was excited about starting college at WCCC this fall. He already completed all his placement tests.
Alex is very close to his family. Alex, at the age of 2, lost his older brother. Alex wanted to keep remembrance of his brother and wore a necklace with his brother's ashes in it. Alex loved all his brothers, but has a special love for his younger sister. He would make sure no matter what he was doing to make sure he would take his sister out for her birthday, last time was to the arcade.
EDITOR'S NOTE: ClickOnDetroit previously reported this stabbing happened on Haskell Street. It happened on Clippert Street.
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