A Labor Day barbecue that was supposed to be filled with food, family and good times allegedly turned into a deadly confrontation after an argument over how chicken was being cooked reportedly escalated into a fatal stabbing.
According to police, 62-year-old Cleo Lawson of Detroit is accused of killing 60-year-old Kenneth Erwin Thomas during a barbecue in Hazel Park, Michigan, on September 7.
Thomas was reportedly hosting the cookout with his live-in girlfriend at a home on East Granet Avenue. Lawson, who police say is the girlfriend’s brother, was also at the gathering.
At some point during the barbecue, Lawson and Thomas reportedly got into an argument about the way the chicken was being prepared.
What should have been a disagreement over food allegedly went way too far.
Police say the argument escalated into a physical confrontation, during which Lawson allegedly stabbed Thomas.
Officers were called to the home around 5:20 p.m. after authorities received a report of a stabbing. When police and emergency responders arrived, they found Thomas suffering from serious injuries.
Despite efforts to save him, Thomas died from his injuries.
The circumstances surrounding exactly what happened between the two men are still being investigated, and authorities have not publicly released every detail of the confrontation.
Lawson was subsequently arrested and is facing a second-degree murder charge in connection with Thomas’ death.
He was arraigned on September 10 and reportedly remains in custody at the Oakland County Jail. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 22 for a probable cause conference.
The bizarre circumstances surrounding the case have left people stunned, especially because the alleged dispute reportedly started over something as ordinary as how chicken was being cooked at a family barbecue.
A cookout can involve plenty of disagreements — especially when multiple people are trying to run the grill — but nobody expects an argument over food to end with someone allegedly losing their life.
Instead of everyone leaving the barbecue with leftovers, memories and full stomachs, the gathering allegedly ended with a 60-year-old man dead and a family member behind bars facing a murder charge.
Authorities have not indicated that anyone else is being charged in connection with the killing.
It is important to note that Lawson is accused of the crime and has not been convicted. The murder allegation will have to be proven in court, and he is presumed innocent unless found guilty.
The case is now moving through the Michigan court system as investigators continue working to establish exactly how the argument unfolded and what led to the deadly confrontation.
One thing is certain: what started as a holiday cookout allegedly became a tragedy that nobody there will ever forget.
All over a disagreement about CHICKEN.
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