Crime
23-Year-Old Abel Vazquez Identified as Victim in Fatal Southgate Kroger Stabbing
SOUTHGATE, MI — Authorities have identified the victim killed in Tuesday’s fatal stabbing inside a Southgate Kroger as 23-year-old Abel Vazquez of Southgate.
The violent incident occurred on the afternoon of Tuesday, October 7, inside the Kroger Marketplace located near Fort Street and Pennsylvania Road.
Police say a fight between two men — reportedly over a woman — escalated into a deadly assault that claimed the life of the 23-year-old.
According to Southgate Police, officers responded to the grocery store shortly after 3 p.m. following multiple 911 calls reporting a physical altercation in progress. When officers arrived, they found Vazquez suffering from multiple stab wounds.
Emergency responders rendered medical aid at the scene before transporting him to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
Investigators determined that the suspect, a 33-year-old Kroger employee, and the victim had arranged to meet at the store.
During their confrontation, the dispute turned violent, and the employee allegedly stabbed Vazquez. The suspect was taken into custody without further incident.
Police emphasized that the victim was not employed by Kroger, and the incident is being treated as isolated, posing no ongoing threat to the public.
Detective Sergeant Michael Murphy of the Southgate Police Department stated that the altercation stemmed from personal issues involving a woman.
“I’m not sure how well they knew each other directly, but it did stem over another female that brought the two together,” Sgt. Murphy said. “They had prior communication leading up to this event. It’s just a tragic situation that could have been avoided — one that will devastate multiple families.”
Witnesses at the scene provided additional context.
Anthony DeGregorio, whose sister works at the store, told Channel2 NOW that the suspect was reportedly a store manager accused of inappropriate conduct toward female employees.
“It was two younger guys — one being an employee and the other the boyfriend of an employee,” DeGregorio said. “The boyfriend came to confront the employee for being weird and harassing his girlfriend. It broke out into a fight that ended with the employee pulling a knife. My sister and other women had reported him for harassment, but nothing was ever done — and now this has happened.”
Authorities are still reviewing store surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses as part of their investigation.
The suspect remains in custody and is expected to be arraigned soon.
Kroger officials confirmed that the store will reopen on Thursday, October 9, at 8 a.m., following cleanup and security assessments.
The investigation remains active under the Southgate Police Department in coordination with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.
MONROE, La. — The Monroe Police Department has launched an investigation into a tragic triple homicide that occurred in the early morning hours of October 28 in the 2000 block of Grammont Street.
Authorities confirmed that the victims have been identified as 26-year-old Jaborris Simpson, his 2-year-old daughter, Jhersi Simpson, and another adult male, Jamal Bosley.
All three were found deceased at the scene, each suffering from gunshot wounds to the head.
During a press conference held later that day, Monroe Police officials stated that narcotics are believed to have been a contributing factor in the crime.
Investigators also confirmed that the suspect and victims were known to one another, suggesting the incident was not a random act of violence.
Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis and law enforcement leaders expressed their condolences to the victims’ families and the community, calling the deaths—particularly that of the young child—heartbreaking and deeply disturbing.
Mayor Ellis also announced a $5,000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest in the case.
“This is a tragedy that has shaken our city,” Ellis said. “We are asking the public to stand with us, share any information they may have, and help bring justice to this family.”
The Monroe Police Department continues to actively investigate the case, with detectives reviewing evidence and interviewing potential witnesses.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Monroe Police Department or Crime Stoppers of North Delta.
Callers may remain anonymous and could be eligible for the $5,000 reward.