GRAND RAPIDS, MI — An 18-year-old man has been charged in connection with a deadly Grand Rapids shooting over a soccer dispute earlier this week, according to prosecutors.
The shooting happened at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the area of Rumsey Street SW and Oakland Avenue SW near Southwest Elementary School, according to prosecutors.
Family members identified the victims as 38-year-old Savanah Villarreal Rubio and 15-year-old Jeremiah Griffin-Cuevas.
Rafael Martinez-Lopez has been charged with two counts of open murder and five weapons charges: carrying a firearm with unlawful intent, carrying a firearm in a weapon-free school zone, carrying a concealed firearm, and other weapons-related felonies.
He was placed in jail without bond. His next court date is scheduled for May 19.
He faces up to life in prison if convicted.
Prosecutors said the shooting happened during an argument over a soccer game at a park near the school. They said a group of kids were playing at the park when they approached two younger kids who were at the soccer courts, asking them to play soccer, according to a 13 On Your Side report citing court documents.
The younger kids declined, and one of them, identified by reports as Martinez-Lopez's younger brother, went home and told Martinez-Lopez about the incident. He told him he was scared one of the kids had a gun, though he didn't see one, according to the report.
The brothers then returned to the park, where police say they confronted the kids, and Martinez-Lopez demanded a fight. That's when Griffin-Cuevas stepped up, but before there was any fight, Martinez-Lopez pulled out a concealed handgun and fired shots at Griffin-Cuevas, fatally wounding him, according to the report.
Officials allege he also shot Rubio, who investigators believe was trying to intervene in the fight. She was taken to a nearby hospital, where police said she died. Family members said she was a mother of seven children between the ages of 3 and 17.
Investigators believe there was some relation between the victims, according to reports.
Martinez-Lopez also pointed the gun at a 9-year-old, who told police Martinez-Lopez pulled the trigger, but the gun didn't fire, before running off, Fox 17 reported.
Police said officers arrested Martinez-Lopez at a nearby home shortly later. They searched the home and found a partially loaded .40 caliber Glock handgun that they believe was used in the shooting, according to the report.
Jeremiah's family created a GoFundMe account to raise funds for his funeral.
"Jeremiah was an amazing and bright young man — everyone who knew him loved his sweet and gentle spirit. This is a tremendous loss for all who knew him, including his friends, family, and the entire community at Dickinson Elementary, where he will be deeply missed," family members said.
Savanah's family also put up a GoFundMe campaign to help Villarreal Rubio's husband and children.
"We remember Vannah as the person who would literally give you the shirt off her back. Opening her doors to any and all families who may be in need or struggling," family members said.
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