Police in Grand Rapids said an 18-year-old has been arrested following a shooting that left a 15-year-old boy and a mother of eight dead after he was refused entry into a soccer game at a school park.
The suspect has been identified as 18-year-old Rafael Martinez-Lopez.
According to police, the incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the soccer field of Southwest Elementary School.
Authorities stated that Martinez-Lopez approached a group of children playing soccer and asked to join the game.
However, after being rejected, the suspect allegedly became enraged, leading to a verbal altercation.
Interim Police Chief Joe Trigg said:
“The suspect did not take the rejection well, leading to an argument, after which he pulled out a gun and opened fire.”
The first victim was 15-year-old Jeremiah Griffin-Cuevas, who died at the scene.
Savanah Villarreal, 39, a mother of eight, was shot while trying to intervene and protect the children on the field.
Ms. Villarreal later passed away at a local hospital.
Police stated that at least eight children witnessed the entire incident.
The victims' families said Savanah Villarreal often supervised children's soccer games in the area because there had been several instances of children being verbally harassed in the past.
Ms. Villarreal's sister said:
“She loved children very much and always thought of others.”
Jeremiah's mother also choked back tears, saying:
“She sacrificed her life to save my son.”
The family noted that Jeremiah viewed Villarreal as an aunt because she had cared for him since he was young.
According to friends and relatives, Villarreal was well-known in the community for her charity work, helping distribute food and supplies to families in need.
Following the shooting, Martinez-Lopez was arrested at his home.
The suspect now faces:
2 counts of murder,
2 felony firearm charges,
along with 3 other weapons-related charges.
Southwest Elementary School has canceled classes until Friday to allow for the crime scene investigation.
