Southfield Police Chief: victim and suspect were friends for decades

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (FOX 2) - A 66-year-old Detroit man is facing manslaughter charges after Southfield Police said he stabbed and killed a friend during a fight at a gas station earlier this month.

Southfield Police Chief Elvin Barren spoke Tuesday morning where he discussed what led to the deadly stabbing.

"This should not have happened," Barren said repeatedly on Tuesday.

According to the chief, 66-year-old Greg Clark stabbed a friend he'd known for decades, 61-year-old Eddie Clora. He also said Clora was able to identify his attacker.

"The officers observed the victim leaning up against the gas pump. He stated to the officers, 'my buddy stabbed' - he certainly wasn't able to complete his sentence," Barren said.

Clora was rushed to the hospital and later pronounced dead.

Barren said surveillance video showed Clora in his car at the gas station and that Clark had pulled him from the vehicle and the two began arguing. He said Clora believed Clark was about to ‘stick him’ and then punched Clark. 

In a screenshot from surveillance video, Clora appears to be trying to wrestle a knife away from Clark. However, Barren said he was able to stab Clora in the head before a bystander tried to intervene. Clora was able to sit up, briefly.

"Mr. Clora became in an upright position, and exposed his torso and our suspect, did stab him, in the chestarea, ultimately near the heart, which would prove to be the fatal wound," Barren said.

Clora's sister, Rhonda Wilson, was at the press conference. 

"(He was a) great husband loved his wife dearly. They've been married over 35 years. Great father to his six children. Five children. Six grandchildren. We have experienced a huge loss," she said.

Wilson reiterated Barren's point that this shouldn't have happened.

"This was not supposed to happen to our brother. We are mad about it. We are torn apart as a family," Wilson said. "What saddens us the most after experiencing his death, he called this guy his friend. What kind of friend would do this?"

In a release, Southfield Police said they would release the 911 call, bodycam footage, and more images from the arrest of the suspect. However, Barren said that it would be traumatic to the family to release video and instead showed screenshots.

Clark was identified by family members and later turned himself into police. But Barren said he tried to hide with family members but Barren said they rejected him before going to a Southfield hotel, where he ultimately surrendered.

Clark does not have a criminal history and is not cooperating with police, Barren, said. However, during his arraignment, Barren said he entered a guilty plea.

Clark was charged last week with manslaughter, punishable by 15 years in prison if convicted.