Massachusetts girl, 10, her grandma, 52, and the family dog are shot dead by neighbor who burst into their home and opened fire during cocaine binge before turning the gun on himself

A 10-year-old girl, her grandmother and the family’s dog were shot to death by their neighbor during a drug-driven rampage before he killed himself.

Aubrianna Lynn and Kim Fairbanks, 52, were shot Monday by 34-year-old Victor Nieves after he consumed cocaine in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Fairbanks died after being hit in the head, while Aubrianna fought for her life until she died in 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.

Aubrianna’s grieving mother took to Facebook to mourn the loss of her daughter and mother, saying “it doesn’t feel real” and “I’ll never understand.”

The horror began at 2:30 p.m. Monday when Nieves became paranoid and began behaving erratically during a drug session, his girlfriend Monica Sanchez said.

Sanchez said she called the children’s mother, Stephanie Croteau, shortly before the attack to tell her that Nieves was acting crazy and had gone downstairs.

According to Sanchez, Croteau told her she would contact her mother, but then “she heard shots and ran outside.” Neighbors said Sanchez was calling for help.

Police said one of the children called 911 from the home and police were on the scene home at 174 Berkshire Avenue in minutes.

Entering the apartment on the first floor, they found the terrified bloodied children hiding in a bedroom.

Aubrianna had been shot to the chest and was airlifted to Boston’s Children’s Hospital, where she remained in critical condition until she died 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 without injury.

“The eldest girl, when she came out with blood all over her body,” Sanchez said.

She said ‘Victor shot us, and he shot himself’. So I ran back in and saw him on the floor, and I just fell down.”

Stephanie Croteau broke down this week over the loss of her mother and daughter on social media.

On Wednesday, as her daughter’s condition was dire, she wrote, “I never thought I would have had to bury one of my children,” alongside a collage of photos.

When the death came Thursday, “it was peaceful” and without “any pain” and in the presence of family, Croteau wrote. “I love you, my fierce girl. You were a warrior.’

She added on Saturday: “My mother and my daughter were killed. They were fucking murdered.

“I have to keep saying it, to believe it really happened. It doesn’t feel real. And I’m just not there. Mentally. Emotional. I’ll never understand.’

Natasha Lopez, a friend of the family, created a GoFundMe for the family and said, “It is with a heavy heart that I am updating the original post.

“Stephanie Croteau and her family became an extension of me a few years ago. On Monday, August 14, 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 was happening. This is a day that changed this family’s life forever. They’ll never be the same again.’

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 who was both tough and caring. Everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her loved her for her sense of humor and attitude without BS.”

She continued, “Kim’s laugh was contagious. Kim was so proud of her children and grandchildren.

“Kim was going to go to war for the people she loved, and she died in the process. Kim lives on in all of us and we will remember her as a hero.’

“Michele the eldest grandchild is also a hero, she sprang into action in an event that would make a grown man freeze. 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 experience what these three children survived.

“They lived through a real-life nightmare that no one could have predicted. The community is asked to come together to support the family.

“Money can never replace or erase the nightmare they are going through, but it can ease the financial burden.

“They need our help, they need our love and our prayers. Please consider donating, every little bit helps.

“The money will be handed over personally to Stephanie to cover funeral expenses, medical expenses, relocation, fuel provision, etc.”

Sanchez, who had known Nieves since childhood, told Mass Live that he was a “gentle soul” and a “kind person” before Monday’s bloody carnage.

She said he was out of work at the time and struggling, though it’s unclear what he did for a living.

Sanchez said she is a licensed gun owner and the firearm Nieves used was one of her handguns, an official said.

She also said she tried to hide at least three of them from Nieves, adding, “I don’t know how he found that one gun.”

She said in part, “People say all kinds of bad things about him. But he wasn’t that person.’

According to police, Nieves had a minimal criminal record and had not committed any previous acts of violence.