Man Accused In Fatal Detroit Area Kroger Stabbing Not Charged In Killing: Prosecutor

SOUTHGATE, MI — A man accused of fatally stabbing another man inside a metro Detroit Kroger store last week will not be charged in the killing, but he will face a weapons charge, according to the Wayne County Prosecutor.

Prosecutors said 33-year-old Charles Hinton stabbed 23-year-old Ramon Vazquez during a fight inside the Kroger store at 16705 Fort Street in Southgate last Tuesday.

Officers found Vazquez lying on the ground, suffering from two stab wounds, at the front of the store, prosecutors said.

Vazquez, of Southgate, was taken to a nearby hospital where he died, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said Vazquez came to the store looking for Hinton and punched him multiple times. Hinton then stabbed Vazquez twice, which prosecutors said fatally wounded him. Hinton did stay at the scene, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said the two men knew of each other but had never met.

Prosecutors said Hinton, of Riverview, acted in self-defense and will not be charged in the killing.

"The facts in this case show that Mr. Vasquez was the initial aggressor who physically attacked Hinton while he was working. Hinton, in response, defended himself. In this case the facts and evidence support that he acted in lawful self-defense," the prosecutor's office said.

Hinton does face a weapons charge for illegally possessing the knife he was carrying at the time. He was given a personal bond and ordered not to have weapons or be in contact with "a woman who is a potential witness in the case."

Under Michigan law, a person is allowed to use force when necessary to protect themselves.