Crime
Victims killed in New Albany warehouse shooting identified
The alleged shooter, 28-year-old Bruce Reginald Foster III, appeared in court Thursday afternoon and is currently being held on a $20 million bond.
NEW ALBANY, OH – Authorities have identified both victims who were fatally shot in Tuesday night’s mass shooting at a KDC/One warehouse in New Albany.
The Licking County Coroner’s Office confirmed Thursday that 38-year-old Kyle Vaver, of Pickerington, was pronounced dead at the scene.
A second victim, 30-year-old Shakhar Chapagai, was transported to Mount Carmel East Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries at 8:33 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Franklin County Coroner’s Office.
In an update Thursday, officials reported that one individual remains hospitalized following the incident.
The alleged shooter, 28-year-old Bruce Reginald Foster III, appeared in court Thursday afternoon and is currently being held on a $20 million bond.
According to court records filed in Licking County Court of Common Pleas, Foster has been charged with aggravated murder, with additional charges likely as the investigation progresses.
His next court appearance is scheduled for February 13.
At approximately 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, officers responded to reports of an active shooter at the KDC/One warehouse on Smiths Mill Road North.
Upon arrival, authorities discovered six employees who had been shot, including Vaver, who was deceased.
During a Wednesday afternoon press briefing, New Albany Police Chief Greg Jones stated that officers arrived within four minutes of receiving the emergency call.
However, Foster had already fled the scene using a rideshare service, which authorities do not believe was involved in the crime.
While police have described the attack as targeted, they have not yet determined a definitive motive.
Witnesses told investigators that Foster had been working for several hours before the shooting and that there had been no prior altercation or dispute leading up to the violence.
Foster was ultimately taken into custody at an apartment complex on East 7th Avenue, near the Short North Arts District in Columbus.
Law enforcement officials continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact the New Albany Police Department or Licking County authorities.
Crime
Noemi Hernandez, Mother of Four Murdered By Her Husband Hector Luvianos Two Days Before Christmas
BATAVIA, Ill. — A devastating domestic homicide has left a family and community in mourning just days before Christmas.
Noemi Hernandez, a devoted mother of four, was fatally attacked in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 23, in what prosecutors allege was a violent act committed by her husband.
The incident occurred at an apartment building in the 100 block of Church Street in Batavia.
According to court records and police reports, at approximately 4:37 a.m., Batavia police were dispatched after a man contacted emergency dispatchers and stated that he had killed his wife.
Responding officers located the man outside the apartment building and took him into custody without incident.
When officers entered the apartment, they found Hernandez suffering from severe, life-threatening injuries.
First responders immediately attempted life-saving measures; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as Hector B. Luvianos, 37, who was transported to the Batavia Police Department for questioning.
With assistance from the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force, investigators determined the incident was domestic-related and involved only the two individuals. Police emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
On Dec. 24, 2025, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser and Batavia Police Chief Eric Blowers announced that Luvianos has been formally charged with first-degree murder, a Class M felony under Illinois law.
He appeared in court the same day for a pretrial detention hearing, after which a judge ordered him held in the Kane County Jail while the case proceeds.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the official cause and manner of Hernandez’s death.
In the wake of the tragedy, Hernandez’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and related expenses.
In the fundraiser, the family described Noemi as “the heart of her family,” noting that she worked tirelessly, loved deeply, and always placed her children first. Her sudden death, they wrote, has left the family emotionally devastated and financially unprepared.
As an immigrant family with limited resources and no life insurance, they now face the burden of funeral and cremation costs, legal fees, and other unexpected expenses, all while supporting four children grieving the loss of their mother.
The family is asking for community support to allow them to lay Noemi to rest with dignity and focus on healing rather than financial hardship.
The investigation remains ongoing.