Prosecutors: Southgate Kroger stabbing was self-defense; man faces weapons charge
Kroger stabbing ruled self defense, man faces concealed knife charges
Charles M. Hinton, II, 33, of Riverview was charged with a concealed weapons charge after the fatal stabbing of Ramon Vazquez, 23, of Southgate. Hinton will not be charged in the death, after it was ruled self-defense.
SOUTHGATE, Mich. (FOX 2) - A man will not be charged in the deadly stabbing of a 23-year-old at a Southgate Kroger, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office announced Friday.
Prosecutors said Charles Hinton, 33, of Riverview, acted in self-defense when he stabbed Ramon Vazquez.
Hinton is charged with one count of carrying a concealed weapon for illegally having a knife during the assault inside the store, where he worked.
Big picture view:
Around 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, Southgate police were called to the Kroger on Fort Street for reports of a stabbing.
With dozens of shoppers inside, officers arrived to find the victim in front of the store suffering from two stab wounds.
First responders rendered aid, but Vazquez later died at the hospital.
Deadly stabbing at Southgate Kroger was over a woman, police say
With dozens of shoppers inside, police said two men got into a fight that turned deadly when a 33-year-old employee of the store fatally stabbed a 23-year-old man.
Dig deeper:
Investigators said Hinton and Vazquez knew of each other through another person but had never met in person.
According to prosecutors, Hinton was working when Vazquez entered the store, sought him out, and began punching him multiple times. Hinton then pulled out a knife and stabbed Vazquez twice, fatally wounding him.
Authorities said Hinton remained at the scene.
What they're saying:
"The facts in this case show that Mr. Vazquez was the initial aggressor who physically attacked Hinton while he was working," Wayne County Prosecutor Kim Worthy said in a statement. "Hinton, in response, defended himself. In this case, the facts and evidence support that he acted in lawful self-defense."
Under Michigan law, individuals are permitted to use force — including deadly force — when necessary to protect themselves.
What's next:
Hinton is expected to be arraigned Saturday on the weapons charge.
The Source: Information for this story came from previous reporting and the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office.