16 year old arrested in gang related shooting
When Phoenix Police investigated a shots fired call on January 6, 2010 at a charter school located at 2500 E. Bell Road, they found two victims, a male and female, both 19, suffering from non-life threatening gun shot wounds. A 10 year-old boy was also struck on the leg by a shot gun pellet. His injury was minor and did not require medical attention. The two 19 year-old victims were transported to a local hospital where they were treated and released for their injuries.
According to investigators, both victims were leaving the charter school when they were approached by the suspect, a 16 year-old Hispanic male, who began a verbal argument. During the argument, the suspect pulled a short barrel shot gun from his pants and fired at the victims.
It was later learned that the suspect was a former student of the charter school and this was a gang related matter; he was known to the victims and witnesses of the incident and was later apprehended at his home. A search warrant executed at the suspect’s home uncovered several items of evidence.
The suspect was transported and booked at the Maricopa County Juvenile Correction Center. His charges are all felonies, including aggravated assault, assisting a criminal street gang, and misconduct involving weapons/prohibited possessor.