The victim was identified as Gregory Lanier Robertson, 49, of Pontiac. He had worked at the plant for approximately seven months. Both men were employed by a cleaning service contracted by GM and not GM workers. It was not immediately known how long the suspect was employed at the plant.
Deputies were dispatched to the plant at 455 Giddings Road at 1:37 a.m. on a report of an injured person, the statement said. When they arrived, they found Robertson unconscious and bleeding. Deputies performed CPR but could not revive the victim. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The suspect was found standing in a dock area of the plant, not far from where Robertson's body was found. The item used in the attack was recovered, the sheriff's office said.
The incident and a possible motive remain under investigation.
"There was an altercation between coworkers at the GM Orion plant this morning. It resulted in the death of one victim and we have the suspect in custody. There is no active danger to the community or the plant," the sheriff's office posted on social media about 8 a.m.
The suspect was being held at the Oakland County Jail. Sheriff's detectives are expected to present the case to prosecutors Friday for possible homicide charges.
UAW President Ray Curry said in a statement: "Today's news about the loss of a UAW member's life at work brings heartbreak to our union. While the investigation is on-going, our priority remains the safety and well-being of members at work. The UAW extends our condolences to the family of our fallen brother as well as his union brothers and sisters."
The plant builds Chevy's electric vehicles: the Bolt EV and the larger Bolt EUV.
