Southgate, Michigan – 23-year-old Abel Vazquez has been identified as the victim in a fatal stabbing that occurred Tuesday afternoon inside the Kroger Marketplace located at 16705 Fort Street in Wayne County. Police say what began as a confrontation between two men escalated into a violent attack that left one man dead and another behind bars.

The incident took place around 3 p.m. on October 7, prompting a large police and emergency response. Shoppers and employees inside the store reported chaos and panic as the altercation unfolded in one of the grocery aisles. According to investigators, the dispute between the two men reportedly stemmed from ongoing tensions involving a woman.

When Southgate Police officers arrived at the scene, they found Vazquez suffering from multiple stab wounds. Officers and paramedics immediately began life-saving measures before transporting him to a nearby hospital. Despite efforts from medical staff, the 23-year-old was later pronounced dead. His death has been ruled a homicide.

Authorities quickly identified the suspect as a 33-year-old Kroger employee, who was taken into custody at the scene without further incident. Police confirmed that the suspect and the victim had arranged to meet at the store prior to the altercation. What started as a verbal dispute quickly turned physical, resulting in a deadly assault witnessed by several customers.

Detective Sergeant Michael Murphy of the Southgate Police Department stated that preliminary evidence suggests the argument was motivated by a personal issue involving a woman. “It’s just a tragic situation that could have been avoided,” Murphy said. “Both families will suffer greatly because of this act of violence.”

Witnesses described the terrifying moments that followed the confrontation. Shoppers ran for safety as store employees called 911, with some attempting to assist the victim before paramedics arrived. Police officers secured the building and ensured that no other individuals were injured. The store was temporarily closed as investigators collected evidence and interviewed witnesses.

One witness, Anthony DeGregorio, whose sister works at the store, told Channel2 NOW that the suspect was a store manager accused of inappropriate behavior 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 him, and that’s when things turned violent.”

Authorities emphasized that the incident was isolated and posed no continuing threat to the public. Police confirmed that the victim, Abel Vazquez, was not a Kroger employee and had come to the location specifically to meet the suspect. Surveillance footage from inside the store is being reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.

The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office is now reviewing the case and expected to issue formal charges in the coming days. Detectives have not yet disclosed the exact weapon used in the stabbing or whether it was recovered from the scene. The suspect remains in custody pending arraignment.

As the Southgate community mourns the loss of a young life, friends and family members of Vazquez have begun placing flowers and candles outside the Kroger entrance in his memory. The tragedy has shaken both employees and residents, serving as a somber reminder of how quickly personal conflict can spiral into deadly violence.