In the early hours of May 24, 2018, a dispute fueled by a complex love triangle ended in tragedy at a Clark gas station on Detroit's west side. Martez Fenderson, a 25-year-old man, was fatally shot during a confrontation with 39-year-old Phillip Hudson. The incident, which occurred around 5:30 a.m. at the intersection of Schaefer Highway and Puritan Avenue, also resulted in Hudson's death. Both men were armed and are believed to have fired at each other simultaneously.
Fenderson sustained a fatal wound to the head, while Hudson was struck in the chest.
The woman at the center of the dispute, who had been in a relationship with both men and was the mother of Fenderson's two children, was present at the scene and witnessed the deadly exchange. She was questioned by the Detroit Police Department but was not considered a suspect in the shootings. Investigators quickly determined that the motive was a personal conflict between the two men and not related to any gang activity, despite Hudson's affiliation with the Outlaws motorcycle club. Fenderson was also a member of a motorcycle club, the Soul Devils.
In the aftermath of the violent encounter, family and friends of both men gathered at the scene, grappling with the sudden and tragic loss. Fenderson's sister remembered him as a hardworking man who loved his two young sons and riding his motorcycle. He was not known to be involved in street life. The family of Phillip Hudson also mourned his passing, with his daughter expressing sorrow for his role in the fatal duel and offering forgiveness to Fenderson's family.
The police investigation into the deaths of Martez Fenderson and Phillip Hudson was concluded swiftly. With both men responsible for the gunfire deceased, authorities determined that no charges could be filed. A spokesperson for the Detroit Police Department stated that you cannot prosecute the dead, and the case was officially closed. No arrests were made, and no suspects were sought in connection with the incident.
