Detroit Man Pleads Guilty To Manslaughter After Fatal Gas Station Punch

27-year-old Javonte Rayshawn Barber pleads guilty to manslaughter after a fatal punch at a Detroit gas station killed Samuel Spruill Jr. See sentencing details.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 5, 2026, 9:49 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from FOX 2 Detroit

A criminal case stemming from a fatal altercation at a Detroit gas station moved toward a conclusion this week as the defendant officially accepted responsibility. Javonte Rayshawn Barber, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter on Thursday morning in connection with the death of Samuel Spruill Jr. The plea marks the end of a legal process that began in late June 2025 following a brief but deadly encounter on the city’s east side.

The incident occurred just after 3:00 a.m. on June 27, 2025, in the 11600 block of East McNichols Road. According to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, a verbal argument broke out between Barber and the 44-year-old Spruill, who was a resident of Troy. The dispute rapidly escalated, culminating in Barber punching Spruill once in the face. The force of the blow knocked Spruill to the ground, where he struck his head with significant force against the pavement.

Medics transported Spruill to a local hospital in critical condition, but he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival due to blunt force trauma. Detroit Police investigators utilized surveillance footage from the gas station to identify Barber, who was apprehended a short time later. Barber was initially arraigned on June 30, 2025, and held on a $100,000 bond with house arrest requirements.

During the proceedings, prosecutors emphasized that while Barber may not have intended to kill Spruill, the act of punching him constituted culpable negligence given the predictable danger of such an assault. By pleading guilty to manslaughter, Barber avoids a potentially longer trial but remains subject to significant sentencing guidelines under Michigan law.

Barber is currently awaiting a formal sentencing hearing, where he faces a maximum penalty of up to 15 years in state prison. The victim’s family has been closely monitoring the case, with representatives previously stating that the sudden loss of Spruill has left a profound void in their lives. The presiding judge has scheduled the final sentencing for later this spring.