10-Year-Old Girl, Grandmother, and Dog Shot Dead in Massachusetts Shooting
- Aubrianna Lynn and Kim Fairbanks, 52, were shot by 34-year-old Victor Nieves
- The shooter was on a cocaine binge in Springfield, Massachusetts on Monday
- Fairbanks died after being hit in the head, while Aubrianna died of injuries on Thursday
A Tragic Act of Violence
A 10-year-old girl, her grandmother, and the family dog have been shot dead by their neighbor on a drug-fueled rampage before he killed himself.
Aubrianna Lynn and Kim Fairbanks, 52, were shot by 34-year-old Victor Nieves after he went on a cocaine binge in Springfield, Massachusetts, on Monday.
Fairbanks died after being hit in the head, while Aubrianna battled for her life until she died in the hospital on Thursday.
Nieves, who lived in the apartment above the family, also shot Aubrianna’s 12-year-old sister, who survived, and killed the family dog before shooting himself dead.
Aubrianna’s grieving mother took to Facebook to grieve the loss of her daughter and mother, saying ‘it doesn’t feel real’ and ‘I will never understand’.
The Horrific Incident
The horror began at 2:30pm on Monday when Nieves became paranoid and started acting erratically during a drug binging session, according to his girlfriend Monica Sanchez.
Sanchez said she called the children’s mother Stephanie Croteau shortly before the attack to tell her Nieves was acting crazy and had headed downstairs.
According to Sanchez, Croteau told her that she would contact her mother, but then she heard gunshots and ran outside. Neighbors said Sanchez yelled out for help.
Police said one of the children called 911 from inside the house and police were at the home at 174 Berkshire Avenue in minutes.
Once they entered the first floor apartment, they found the terrified bloodied children hiding in a bedroom.
Aubrianna had been shot in the chest and was airlifted to Boston’s Children’s Hospital where she remained in critical condition until she died on Thursday.
A 12-year-old girl was shot in the abdomen and was in stable condition at Baystate Medical Center. A five-year-old boy escaped with no injury.
‘The oldest girl, when she came out with blood all over her,’ Sanchez said.
‘She said “Victor shot us, and he shot himself.” So I ran back inside and saw him on the floor, and I just fell down.’
Stephanie Croteau broke down over the loss of her mom and daughter on social media during the week.
On Wednesday, when her daughter’s condition was dire she wrote: ‘I never imagined I would have had to bury one of my children,’ alongside a collage of photos.
When death came on Thursday, ‘it was peaceful’ and without ‘any pain’ and in the presence of family, Croteau posted. ‘I love you my fierce girl. You were a warrior.’
She added on Saturday: ‘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.’
Supporting the Family
Natasha Lopez, a family friend, created a GoFundMe for the family, saying: ”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.
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.’
She 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.’
Michele, the oldest grandchild, is also a hero. She sprung into action during an event that would freeze a grown man in his tracks. She protected her siblings as best she could.
She was also shot and is stable and being treated at a local hospital. No child should ever have to go through what these three children have survived.
They lived through a real-life nightmare that no one could have predicted. The community is being asked to come together to support the family.
Money could never replace or erase the nightmare they are walking through, but it can help ease the financial burden.
They need our help, they need our love and our prayers. Please consider donating, every little bit helps.
The funds will be hand-delivered to Stephanie to cover funeral expenses, medical costs, rehousing, fueling, etc.
Sanchez, who had known Nieves since they were youngsters, told Mass Live he was a ‘gentle soul’ and a ‘kind person’ before Monday’s bloody massacre.
She said he was out of work at the time and struggling, though it is unclear what he did for a living.
Sanchez said she is a licensed gun owner and that the firearm Nieves used was one of her pistols, officials said.
She also said she tried to hide at least three of them from Nieves and added: ‘I don’t know how he found that one gun.’
She said, in part, ‘people are saying all kinds of bad stuff about him. But he wasn’t that person.’
According to police, Nieves had a minimal criminal record and had no prior acts of violence.