Valmir Djempsley pleaded not guilty on July 1 in connection with the June 29 fatal stabbing of Brandon Eduardo Velasquez Chavez

A 20-year-old man has been charged with the fatal stabbing of his 21-year-old coworker.

Valmir Djempsley was accused of willfully killing with a knife in Coldwater, Mich., on Monday, June 29, a Branch County Jail representative confirmed to PEOPLE. He remains in custody and could face a possible life sentence.

The Sturgis Journal identified the victim as Brandon Eduardo Velasquez Chavez. The fatal incident occurred at the Clemens Food Group pork processing plant, where the two men worked together in the loin boning production area, per the outlet, which cited a probable cause affidavit.

The men had a verbal disagreement about Chavez's having one of Djempsley's knives, according to the affidavit, per the Sturgis Journal.

Djempsley allegedly told authorities that Chavez tried to “head butt” him. He then allegedly chased Chavez before stabbing him in his lower back, witnesses claim, according to the affidavit. The witnesses could not corroborate whether Chavez attempted to “head butt” Djempsley.

The weapon is believed to have been the knife that was used in the stabbing and it was recovered by police, WTVB reports.

Authorities were called at 7:41 p.m. First responders arrived at the scene and attempted lifesaving measures. However, Chavez died 40 minutes after the call and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Djempsley was arraigned on Wednesday, July 1. He pleaded not guilty, per WTVB. Bond was denied, and he is due in court on July 9, the Branch County Jail representative told PEOPLE.

Djempsley reportedly had a prior deportation order from Texas in 2024, prosecutor Victor Fitz said, per WTVB. Djempsley's status was under investigation, and he has an ICE hold, per The Sturgis Journal.

PEOPLE reached out to the Coldwater Police Department and Clemens Food Group for comment.