- Victim identified as 23-year-old Fatme Davis killed during custody exchange.
- Suspect, Sydney Emmanuel Davis Jr., 25, charged with first-degree premeditated murder.
- Incident unfolded at Meijer gas station in Shelby Township, 20 miles north of Detroit.
- Their child was inside a vehicle nearby during the fatal stabbing.
- Suspect denied bond, next hearing set for Oct. 14.
A Michigan father has been charged with first-degree murder after prosecutors say he fatally stabbed his estranged wife during a custody exchange at a Shelby Township gas station.
Authorities identified the suspect as 25-year-old Sydney Emmanuel Davis Jr., who allegedly attacked 23-year-old Fatme Davis inside the Meijer gas station on Hall Road on September 21. The couple’s child was waiting in a vehicle outside while the stabbing occurred.
Witnesses at the busy gas station told police the assailant beat and repeatedly stabbed the young mother before fleeing. Multiple 911 calls led Shelby Township officers to the scene around 5 p.m. Responders rushed Fatme Davis to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
“This despicable act of violence against this mother, is a stark reminder of the scourge of domestic violence,” said Shelby Township Police Chief Robert J. Shelide. “As a community, we must stand united against such cowardice.”
Investigators say the incident stemmed from a domestic violence dispute rather than a random attack. A short time later, police located and arrested Davis in Armada, about 20 miles from the crime scene.
Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido called the allegations “shocking and deeply disturbing,” adding, “Our office is committed to pursuing this case to the fullest extent of the law to ensure justice is served.”
Davis appeared in court Wednesday for arraignment before Magistrate Judge Jim Verploeg, who denied bond. He remains in custody at the Macomb County Detention Center and is scheduled to return for a preliminary hearing on October 14.
The prosecutor’s office emphasized that the killing underscores the dangers of domestic violence and urged the public to remain vigilant.
