A man has been charged with murder following a fatal stabbing at a Kroger store in Fort Wayne. Jermard J. Lewis, 30, was apprehended by the police within four hours of the incident. He is currently being held without bail at Allen County Jail. The victim has been identified as Perla A. Nieto, a 59-year-old employee at the store. The Allen County Coroner’s Office confirmed that Nieto died from stab wounds to the head. This tragic incident marks the 27th homicide in the county this year.
According to witnesses and preliminary reports, the suspect caused a disturbance and threatened the staff at the grocery store at around 10:31 a.m. Initially, the police were informed but were later told to disregard the call. However, the suspect returned to the store shortly after and stabbed Nieto before fleeing in a vehicle. Police were called at 11:06 a.m. Store staff provided immediate aid to the victim until the arrival of law enforcement, who then took over life-saving measures. Despite their efforts, Nieto was transported to a local hospital in critical condition and later succumbed to her injuries.
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Authorities have stated that this appears to be a targeted incident and there is no ongoing threat to the public. The Fort Wayne Police Department’s Homicide Unit, along with other specialized units and the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office, worked together to swiftly identify, locate, and apprehend the suspect. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
In response to the tragedy, Kroger has decided to keep the store closed for an additional day. They expressed their condolences and emphasized the importance of honoring the contribution and happiness that Nieto brought to the store and its customers. The store will reopen on Saturday at 7 a.m., with a commitment to continuing their service as before. The incident has undoubtedly left a deep impact on the community, and investigations are ongoing to gather more information about the motive behind the attack.
