Suspect Bruce Reginald Foster III Arrested After Fatal Shooting of Kyle Vaver and Shekhar Chapagai

On the evening of February 4, 2025, a tragic mass shooting unfolded at the KDC/One cosmetics manufacturing facility in New Albany, Ohio.
The incident resulted in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to four others, leaving the community in shock and mourning.
Highlights
- The Ohio shooting at KDC/One warehouse left six victims, including two fatalities, prompting a swift emergency response within minutes.
- Bruce Reginald Foster III fled using a rideshare but was arrested 12 hours later in Columbus, facing a $20 million bond.
- New Albany’s mayor and KDC’s CEO expressed grief, commended first responders, and reassured the community of ongoing safety measures.
The alleged perpetrator was a 28-year-old man, namely Bruce Reginald Foster III.
Bruce, an employee at the facility, was apprehended after a 12-hour manhunt. So follow along and learn more about this devasting incident.
there were multiple victims due to the Shooting in Ohio
The shooting occurred around 10:30 p.m. at the KDC/One warehouse located on Smith’s Mill Road.
Emergency services responded swiftly, with officers arriving on the scene within four minutes of receiving the initial distress call.
Breaking: Reports earlier that the shooter was arrested in New Albany, Ohio were FALSE. He is still at large!
Suspect identified as Bruce Reginald Foster III; efforts underway to apprehend. He’s described as 6-feet tall, weighing 175 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes
He is… pic.twitter.com/BRCAZ6Vem6
— Mills Media (@Media_Mills) February 5, 2025
Upon arrival, they discovered multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
One victim, identified as 30-year-old Shakhar Chapagai, was transported to a Columbus hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Another individual, 27-year-old Kyle Vaver, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The four injured victims were also transported to local hospitals; however, their identities and current conditions have not been publicly disclosed.
According to witness accounts, the suspect, Bruce Foster, allegedly opened fire on his colleagues without any prior warning or apparent provocation.
One brave employee managed to wrestle the firearm away from Foster after being shot in the neck and handed it over to a supervisor.
Following the shooting, Foster reportedly fled the scene using a rideshare service, initiating an extensive manhunt involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
Approximately 12 hours later, authorities, including the U.S. Marshals Service, apprehended Foster at a residence in Columbus, Ohio.
He was taken into custody without incident and subsequently charged with aggravated murder.
A bond was set at $20 million during his arraignment, and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for February 13, 2025.
Mayor Sloan and KDC’s CEO have released statements regarding the incident
In the aftermath of the shooting, the New Albany community has been grappling with grief and disbelief.
Vigils have been held to honor the victims, and support services have been made available to employees and residents affected by the tragedy.
Can someone tell me why this killer got a bond at all?! He shot SIX people and killed TWO.
Bruce Reginald Foster III, 28, facing an aggravated murder charge out of Licking County Court of Common Pleas, was issued a $20 million bond at an arraignment hearing Thursday… pic.twitter.com/GHmhpgTn6T
— Cera Lou Brooks (@CeraLouBrooks) February 6, 2025
Local officials have expressed their condolences to the victims’ families and praised the swift response of law enforcement and first responders.
Mayor Sloan Spalding stated,
We all know that the test of a true community is not when tragedy strikes. The test is how the people of that community respond to that tragedy, and I am very confident—as hard as the last several hours have been for our community—that we will overcome this challenge as we have with everything else, as a community, together.
-Sloan Spalding
KDC/One CEO Nick Whitley also released a statement expressing shock and sadness over the incident.
He emphasized that the safety and well-being of employees are the company’s top priority and conveyed gratitude for the swift action of local authorities and first responders.
The company has been actively assisting the New Albany Police Department in its ongoing investigation and has implemented additional security measures to ensure the safety of its workforce.
Additional Infomation
- This tragic event marks the first homicide in New Albany’s history since its incorporation in 1837, a fact that has deeply shaken the tight-knit community.
- As the legal proceedings against Bruce Foster move forward, residents are left searching for answers and grappling with the harsh reality that such violence has touched their town.
- Chief Jones reiterated the department’s commitment to transparency and justice, stating that updates will be provided to the public as more information becomes available.