Detroit Man Charged in Fatal Shooting at Westland Kroger
Published on December 22, 2025
Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Rene Miguel Zambrana, 37, of Detroit, in connection with the fatal shooting of Alvin Leon Echols, 47, of Westland, at a local Kroger store. The two men knew each other. Mr. Echols was volunteering as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army at the store at the time of his death.
On December 18, 2025, at approximately 6:21 p.m., Westland police officers were dispatched to Kroger located in the 36400 block of Ford Road for a reported shooting. Upon their arrival, officers entered the store and observed Mr. Echols on the floor near the self-checkout area with a gunshot wound to the chest. Medics arrived on the scene and short time later Mr. Echols was pronounced deceased.
The defendant and the victim knew each other; this was not a random act. It is alleged that the defendant was on foot outside of the Kroger. The defendant walked near Mr. Echols as he was ringing a bell by the Salvation Army donation kettle when the defendant fired his weapon at the victim multiple times. The victim ran into the store and collapsed near the self-checkout area. and died from a single gunshot wound to the chest. The defendant fled on foot from the scene. Further facts and evidence will be placed on the record in court at the Preliminary Examination.
Investigation by the Westland Police Department led to the arrest of the defendant. Rene Miguel Zambrana has been charged with First Degree Murder and Felony Firearm.
Defendant Zambrana was arraigned in 18th District Court, before Judge Michael McNamara and was remanded to jail. His Probable Cause Conference is on December 30, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. and his Preliminary Examination is on January 8, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., before Judge McNamara.
“As often is the case actual facts emerge that are not a part of the original narrative. It is extremely unfortunate that the focus has been that a Salvation Army volunteer was randomly murdered during the holiday season. The evidence will show that this was likely a complicated interpersonal relationship dispute. These allegations are nonetheless extremely tragic and criminal,” said Prosecutor Kym Worthy.
Please request a photograph of the defendant from the Westland Police Department.
*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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