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.
Crime
Saylor Graham, 7, Fights to Recover After Silver Rail Elementary School Shooting as Teacher Becky Drury Faces Long Recovery
BEND, Oregon — Seven-year-old Saylor Graham is recovering from life-threatening injuries after being shot at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on October 15, 2026. Meanwhile, 54-year-old teacher Becky Drury is beginning a lengthy recovery after suffering gunshot wounds to her left arm and right hand during the deadly school shooting.
The latest updates from the two families offer a glimpse of the difficult road ahead for survivors of a tragedy that claimed the lives of three children and a teacher, leaving families, classmates, and the wider Bend community grieving.
Saylor Graham, described by her family as a loving, feisty girl with a strong determination to thrive, was shot in the jaw during the shooting, according to the information shared by her family and supporters. She was airlifted from Bend for medical treatment.
Her family says the 7-year-old has already faced numerous medical challenges throughout her young life. Now, she is confronting another devastating ordeal, with her parents remaining by her side as she receives treatment and begins the recovery process.
Updates shared about Saylor’s condition have differed. An earlier account described her as being in critical condition, while a later update reported that she was in serious but stable condition. Her latest status should be confirmed with her family or an official source before publication.
For Saylor’s parents, the emotional strain is accompanied by significant financial uncertainty. Both parents are self-employed, and the demands of remaining at the hospital have sharply limited their ability to work. They must also manage medical expenses, transportation, lodging, household bills, and the needs of their other child.
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been organized to help Saylor’s family manage the financial pressures arising from her injuries and ongoing treatment.
The fundraiser describes Saylor as a daughter, sister, and niece whose determination has carried her through numerous medical challenges. It explains that the family is facing uncertainty as they remain close to her during recovery.
The appeal states that donations will help cover hospital bills, time away from work, lodging, transportation, and other urgent family expenses.
The fundraiser also asks supporters to keep Saylor and her loved ones in their thoughts and prayers, emphasizing that every contribution and act of kindness can make a difference during this difficult time.
Readers who wish to support Saylor’s recovery can find the fundraiser through the link shared by her family or the original organizer. The campaign details and donation link should be verified before being shared.
Becky Drury, 54, a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School, was also wounded in the shooting. She suffered gunshot injuries to her left arm and right hand and has undergone surgery.
Her husband, Will, shared a hopeful update, saying the operation went well. However, the injuries to her left arm were extensive, and she is expected to require additional procedures and a prolonged recovery.
Despite the difficult road ahead, her husband’s message offered a moment of relief amid the grief surrounding the shooting.
“The good news is she will be ok and we all get to keep that magnificent woman we love so much in our lives,” he said.
His words reflect the gratitude of a family facing a frightening and uncertain recovery while knowing that Becky survived.
The shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School left three children and one teacher dead, according to the information provided in reports about the incident.
Five-year-old Rhoam Summer has been publicly identified among the children killed. Megan Lambert, 25, a teacher also known as “Coach Megan,” was identified as the adult victim. Two other children, ages 8 and 11, were also killed.
Their deaths have left four families facing an unimaginable loss. While Saylor and Becky continue their recoveries, the families of those who died are beginning a different and heartbreaking journey of grief.
The contrast between the survivors’ fight to recover and the families’ permanent loss has become one of the most painful realities of the tragedy.
For Saylor’s family, every update about her condition carries enormous significance. Her parents are navigating the uncertainty of their daughter’s recovery while trying to remain present for her and care for their family.
For Becky Drury’s loved ones, the successful surgery has brought relief, even as further treatment and rehabilitation lie ahead.
Their stories do not erase the devastating loss experienced by the families of the victims. Instead, they highlight the many ways the shooting has changed lives and the long road that survivors and loved ones must now face.
As Bend mourns the children and teacher who did not return home, the community continues to hope for Saylor’s recovery and for Becky to regain her health.
Saylor Graham and Becky Drury are among those still fighting their way forward after the Silver Rail Elementary School shooting. Their families are asking for support, compassion, and privacy as they face the difficult days ahead.