LAKE ORION (WWJ) - Officials say a 48-year-old man was arrested early Thursday morning after he fatally assaulted a coworker at a GM assembly plant in Lake Orion.
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office said the suspect was taken into custody at the GM Orion Assembly Plant after an "incident" broke out between him and the victim, identified as 49-year-old Gregory Lanier Robertson of Pontiac, around 1:30 a.m.
Deputies said the two men work for a cleaning service and are not GM employees.
Sheriff's detectives said they were dispatched to the plant at 455 Giddings Road in Orion Township where they located the victim unresponsive and bleeding.
Deputies attempted to revive him using CPR, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The suspect was standing in the dock area, not far from where the victim was found, police said -- he was arrested without incident.
The item used to kill the victim was recovered, police said.
WXYZ reported earlier that authorities said the victim was hit in the head by a board, but details remain unclear.
"The entire plant is on lockdown, the gates are locked" Langton said.
Workers showing up for the 6 a.m. shift were told to "keep moving" and to call their bosses about reporting to work tomorrow, Langton added.
"They have all kinds of questions, but no answers from GM," Langton said of the employees.
The automaker issued a press release almost six hours after the incident saying all plant operations have ceased for the day, Langton added.
"General Motors is working with the Oakland County Sheriff's Department to investigate an incident at the Orion Assembly Plant in Lake Orion, Michigan," the statement reads. "In the meantime, GM has canceled Aug. 11 production at Orion Assembly. Additional details on the incident will be released by the Oakland County Sheriff's Department."
Langton said the plant has roughly 1,200 employees and manufactures the Chevy Bolt.
The sheriff's office confirmed there is no threat to the public at this time.
Authorities said the victim had been working at the plant for about seven months, but the suspect's work history is unknown.
Deputies said the suspect was taken to the Oakland County Jail and the cases is expected to be handed off to prosecutors for possible homicide charges on Friday.
A motive behind the slaying is still under investigation, police said.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to WWJ LIVE for the latest details.
