TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2025 

PONTIAC, Mich. - Oakland County Prosecutor KAREN D. McDONALD charged three people for their roles in the death of an 18-year-old male victim, who was fatally shot Thursday night in Clawson.

Tylaj Clark-Spencer, a 21-year resident of Howell, was charged with Manslaughter, Receiving and Concealing Stolen Firearm, and two counts of Felony Firearms. Joshua Peel, a 20-year-old resident of Royal Oak, and a 17-year-old juvenile are both charged with Accessory after the Fact/Manslaughter.

On Thursday evening, Clark-Spencer, Peel, the victim, and one other person were preparing to leave a Clawson apartment to attend a party. Clark-Spencer was allegedly carrying a gun and was reportedly checking to see if it was loaded when the gun fired, killing the victim. The juvenile defendant is alleged to have hidden the gun and other evidence for Clark-Spencer a few hours later, after he had fled the scene with Peel. The gun appears to have been stolen from a safe belonging to the juvenile defendant’s father.

“The shooter should never have had that gun, and he and those who assisted him after the shooting will be held accountable for this tragedy,” said Prosecutor McDonald. “Gun violence is preventable. This case is a terrible reminder of how quickly a situation can turn deadly when the wrong person gets a gun.”

Manslaughter is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and/or a $7,500 fine, Receiving and Concealing Stolen Firearm is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine. Felony Firearms is punishable by two years in prison consecutive with any other sentence. Accessory after the Fact/Manslaughter is punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.

Charges are accusations and individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

###

CONTACT: OCPOmedia@oakgov.com