Southgate, October 14, 2025
News Summary
Charles Hinton, a 33-year-old Riverview resident, has been cleared of murder charges in the fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Ramon Vazquez at a Kroger store, with the prosecutor’s office ruling Hinton acted in self-defense. The incident, which took place during a confrontation initiated by Vazquez, has highlighted Michigan’s self-defense laws. While murder charges were dropped, Hinton still faces a charge for carrying a concealed weapon. A court date has been scheduled for later this month.
Southgate – Charles Hinton, a 33-year-old resident of Riverview, has been cleared of murder charges related to the fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Ramon Vazquez at a Kroger store. The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office ruled that Hinton acted in self-defense during the incident, which occurred on October 7 at approximately 3:05 PM in Southgate.
During the confrontation, Hinton, who was employed at the Kroger located at 16705 Fort Street, was allegedly assaulted by Vazquez, who reportedly entered the store looking for Hinton. The argument escalated when Vazquez physically attacked Hinton, hitting him multiple times. Hinton then responded by retrieving a knife and subsequently stabbed Vazquez twice, inflicting wounds that led to Vazquez’s death.
Law enforcement arrived at the scene to find Vazquez lying on the ground at the entrance of the store. Despite the severity of his injuries, medical personnel later pronounced him dead after transporting him to a hospital. Following the stabbing, Hinton remained at the scene and complied with police authorities.
According to prosecutors, the facts presented indicate that Vazquez was the initial aggressor, allowing Hinton’s use of force to be legally justified under Michigan’s self-defense laws. Consequently, Hinton will not face murder charges but is confronted with a separate charge related to carrying a concealed weapon, as he was illegally in possession of the knife at the time of the incident.
This weapons charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Hinton was arraigned on October 11 in the 36th District Court, where he received a personal bond. He has been ordered not to possess any weapons or make contact with a potential witness related to the case. A subsequent court date has been scheduled for October 24 in the 28th District Court in Southgate.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has reinforced the legal standing of Hinton’s actions, noting the self-defense laws in Michigan that allow individuals to employ necessary force when facing imminent threats of harm.
Background Information
The events surrounding the stabbing bring attention to the implications of self-defense laws in Michigan and how they apply in violent confrontations. This case underscores the complexities involved in determining legal culpability in incidents involving the use of force for self-protection.
Key Legal Context
Under Michigan law, individuals have the right to protect themselves from imminent harm, which can justify the use of reasonable force in self-defense scenarios. The ruling in Hinton’s case illustrates the legal considerations that prosecutors take into account when assessing charges following violent incidents.
FAQ Section
Who was involved in the stabbing incident at Kroger?
Charles Hinton, 33, from Riverview, and Ramon Vazquez, 23, were involved.
What was the outcome of the case for Charles Hinton?
Hinton was cleared of murder charges and ruled to have acted in self-defense.
What happened during the incident?
Hinton was assaulted by Vazquez, who entered the store looking for him. In response, Hinton stabbed Vazquez twice.
What charges is Hinton facing?
Hinton is facing a separate charge for carrying a concealed weapon due to illegally possessing the knife during the incident.
What is the maximum penalty for the weapons charge?
The weapons charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
When is Hinton’s next court date?
Hinton’s next court date is set for October 24 in the 28th District Court in Southgate.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Self-Defense Ruling in Southgate Stabbing Case
White Florida Woman Convicted of Manslaughter in Fatal Shooting of Black Neighbor Amid Ongoing Dispute
Additional Resources
- The Detroit News
- Wikipedia: Self-defense
- Detroit Free Press
- Google Search: self-defense laws Michigan
- Fox 2 Detroit
- Google Scholar: Michigan self-defense law
- WXYZ Detroit
- Encyclopedia Britannica: self-defense law
- ClickOnDetroit
- Google News: Southgate Kroger stabbing
Author: STAFF HERE NORTHVILLE WRITER
The NORTHVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENorthville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Northville, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Summer Concert Series, Tunes on Tuesday, and the Northville Farmers Market. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Northville Chamber of Commerce and Northville Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, software, and retail that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Reliable Software, and Attendance on Demand. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
