Police said a dispute tied to an informal soccer game ended with gunfire on school grounds.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — An 18-year-old man accused of opening fire after a dispute over a children’s soccer game was held without bond Friday, three days after a 15-year-old boy and a woman were killed outside Southwest Elementary School.
The case has shaken a west Michigan neighborhood where children often gathered after school to play on the grounds. Rafael Martinez-Lopez is charged in the deaths of Jeremiah Griffin-Cuevas and Savanah Rubio, who was also known as Savanah Villarreal. Police said several young people saw the shooting, and court records now outline video, witness accounts and weapons evidence that prosecutors say support the charges.
The shooting happened shortly after 6:30 p.m. May 5 on the property of Southwest Elementary School in Grand Rapids’ Roosevelt Park area. Police said children were playing soccer when a dispute began over who could join the game. Interim Police Chief Joe Trigg said the suspect or a younger relative had been turned away from playing, and the disagreement grew into a confrontation. “He was turned away,” Trigg said while describing the first account from investigators. Police said the argument moved fast, ending when a gunman pulled out a firearm and shot Jeremiah. Rubio was then shot after she tried to step in and help, police said.
Later court filings added more detail to that account. Investigators said some children first approached two younger children on the soccer courts and asked to play with them. One of the younger children was identified as Martinez-Lopez’s brother. The younger brother later told police he was scared of some children at the playground and believed they might have a gun, though he said he did not see one. Police said Martinez-Lopez returned with him, accused the older group of mistreating the younger children and demanded a fight. Before a fight began, investigators said video showed Martinez-Lopez drawing a black handgun from under his clothing and firing at Jeremiah.
Officers found Jeremiah and Rubio with gunshot wounds when they reached the school grounds. Jeremiah was pronounced dead at the scene, while Rubio died after being taken to a hospital. Investigators said they recovered nine .40 caliber shell casings and obtained cellphone video and school surveillance footage. A court filing said Martinez-Lopez also turned the gun toward a 9-year-old child before running away. A witness told police the child said Martinez-Lopez pulled the trigger, but the gun did not fire. Police have not said publicly whether that allegation led to a separate attempted murder charge, and the investigation remains open.
A neighborhood witness helped police identify Martinez-Lopez from video and gave officers an address on Cesar Chavez Avenue, according to court records. Officers arrested him there. Investigators said he was wearing different clothing from the person seen in the footage, but the shoes matched. Police said a search of the home turned up a partially loaded .40 caliber Glock handgun with an extended magazine, along with clothing that matched what the shooter wore in the video. Martinez-Lopez declined to answer police questions without an attorney present, investigators said.
The Kent County Medical Examiner ruled both deaths homicides. Police and family members identified Jeremiah as a 15-year-old who was known to relatives and friends as caring and active in church. Mildred Griffin, his mother, said he attended youth group and church each week. “Somebody stole from me,” she said. Rubio, described by relatives as a mother of eight, had been supervising children at the field. Griffin said Rubio had known Jeremiah for much of his life. “She gave her life to save my son,” Griffin said, adding that Jeremiah thought of her as an aunt.
The shooting also disrupted nearby schools. Grand Rapids Public Schools closed Southwest Elementary School and Southwest Middle High School on Wednesday so students, staff and families could process the deaths. Southwest Elementary also canceled classes Thursday and opened for a short period with crisis teams and sack lunches. District officials said Southwest Middle High resumed classes Thursday and Southwest Elementary was expected to resume Friday with added counseling and support. Trigg said at least seven or eight juveniles witnessed the shooting, calling that part of the case especially painful for officers and families.
Martinez-Lopez was arraigned Friday in 61st District Court on two counts of open murder, two felony firearm counts and additional weapons charges, including carrying with unlawful intent, carrying a concealed weapon and a weapons-free school zone violation. Magistrate Bria Adderly-Williams denied bond, saying the court had serious public safety concerns and that the most serious charges carry possible life sentences. Defense attorney Craig Jenison said Martinez-Lopez had no prior criminal record. The charges are allegations, and prosecutors must still prove the case in court.
Outside the legal case, grief spread across the neighborhood. About 100 people gathered Wednesday for a balloon-release vigil honoring Jeremiah and Rubio. Flowers and other items were left near the school as a memorial grew at the scene. Donny Irving, a resident who visited the area, said the loss reached beyond the two families because the violence happened in a place linked to children, games and school routines. “It’s just hard,” Irving said. Friends also remembered Jeremiah as warm and easy to love, while relatives of Rubio described her as selfless and protective of children.
The Grand Rapids Police Department’s Major Case Team continues to review witness statements, medical findings, video and physical evidence. Martinez-Lopez is due back in court for a probable cause conference May 19.
Author note: Last updated May 9, 2026.