A young girl was killed alongside her grandmother and family dog by a neighbor on a drug-fueled rampage.
10-year-old Aubrianna Lynn was with her grandmother, 52-year-old Kim Fairbanks, at their home in Springfield, Massachusetts, when their neighbor suddenly burst into their home and started shooting.
According to the reports, the man has been identified as 34-year-old Victor Nieves. It was also revealed that the gunman was binging on cocaine at the time he committed the horrible crimes.
After shooting the young girl, her grandmother, and the family dog, Nieves pointed the gun to himself and took his own life.
In the shooting, Aubrianna’s 12-year-old sister was also injured. She survived the ordeal and is expected to recover.
Following the senseless killings, the young girl’s mother, Stephanie Croteau, spoke out and said nothing feels real while insisting she’ll never understand why her daughter was taken from her in such a cruel way.
“I never imagined I would have had to bury one of my children. I love you my fierce girl. You were a warrior,” she said.
“My mother and my daughter were murdered. They were f***ing murdered.
“I have to keep saying it, to believe it actually happened. It doesn’t feel real. And I just am not here. Mentally. Emotionally. I will never understand.”
Meanwhile, a family friend, Natasha Lopez, launched a GoFundMe page to help the grieving mom pay for the funeral expenses.
“With a heavy heart, I am updating the original post. Stephanie Croteau and her family became an extension of mine a few years ago. On Monday, August 14th, 2023, the Croteau/Fairbanks/Serra family experienced the most unspeakable act of violence in their home,” she wrote.
“Everyone watched, waited and held their breath to find out what occurred. This is a day that has forever altered this family’s life. They will never be the same. On this day, Kim, wife, daughter, mother, grandmother and friend, was tragically stolen from her family and friends. Her life was taken while babysitting her three beloved grandchildren.
“Kim was a person that was both tough and caring. Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing her loved her for her sense of humor and her take no BS attitude.”
The statement continued: “Kim’s laughter was contagious. Kim was so proud of her children and grandchildren. Kim would go to war for the people she loved, and she died doing so. Kim lives on through all of us, and we will remember her as a hero.”
Our thoughts remain with Aubrianna and Kim’s loved ones during this challenging time.