"I never thought, but of course, I am always prepared," Mendez replied. Around the same time, a man and his daughter were also driving near 110th Avenue and Union Hills Drive when their Chevrolet sedan was struck by gunfire on the driver side door, hitting the woman in her leg. Over the span of 90 minutes on Thursday, police say Ashin Tricarico fired bullets at multiple people, seemingly at random. Families gather in Phoenix to honor fallen officers, Suns falter in 4th, lose Game 2 in Denver, TRENDING: Phoenix teen missing in California may have been lured by someone, family says, TRENDING: Phoenix trainer indicted for allegedly having sex with teen after case was initially dismissed. Police believe the incident to be related to the spree, but an investigation is ongoing. Authorities responded to reports of an active shooter in the West Valley, about 20 miles northwest of downtown Phoenix, about 12:30 p.m MT, the Surprise Police Department tweeted initially. Mendez said two women fought Hunt off in the master bedroom. She had a 3-year-old daughter in the back seat. Just after 11 a.m. Thursday, police received multiple reports of shots fired near 103rd and Northern avenues in Peoria. One of the victims, Justin Gamazo, is lucky to be alive. Davis says he could see deputies surrounding a vehicle that was smashed up. Jason was given a plate of food and sat down inside the residence. However, witnesses provided a different perspective on what happened at the party. A businessman accused of photographing unclothed women without their consent was taken into custody on Thursday in Surprise. In the same area, a man was driving his pickup truck westbound on Bell Road when a white SUV pulled up alongside him and the driver pulled out a weapon "larger than a handgun" and opened fire on the victim in his truck. As people ran for safety, Mendez's wife rushed to him. Two were killed and the other three suffered serious injuries. Contests & Promotions. 507 were here. "Over one million Americans use firearms yearly to protect themselves and their loved ones, and often most media outlets refuse to tell their stories. Yami Dinora remembers her soulmate, Carl, who leaves her and their two daughters behind. Support local journalism. The incident began as some sort of fight that happened just after 10 p.m. on July 3, with it ending in a shooting. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. According to investigators, an officer tried to pull Martin out when he yelled, I have a gun, and reached under a pile of personal items. Projectiles passed through the victim's vehicle from the driver side to the passenger side. And honestly, at the end of the day, the people that want to ban guns, they're only banning it from good people, not criminals. This is the official Facebook home of the City of Surprise Police Department. Do not make a peep if you hear loud noises in this room," Mendez said of his wife's actions. The Surprise Police Department also asked anyone with information regarding the incident to call (623) 222-4000 or 623-222-TIPS (8477), or email [email protected]. Approximately 97 percent of BLM-managed public lands in Arizona are available to dispersed recreational shooting. Likes. Ashin Tricarico, 19, of Surprise, Arizona, was charged Friday with first-degree murder, aggravated assault, drive-by shooting and endangerment in connection with the shootings, which left one person dead and a dozen others injured. Tommy Hale said in a press release days after the incident, KTAR reported at the time. He touched so many hearts," Gonzalez said. YOUR Surprise Police Department hosted a community bike event today - Pedal with the Police. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Maricopa County Sheriff Penzone released this statement regarding the shooting: "The deputy's discipline, experience, and incredible instincts are the reason he was able to go home safe to his family and continue to protect our community members. or redistributed. Between 107th Avenue and 115th Avenue on Bell Road. According to MCSO officials, an autopsy indicated the cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. At least one person was killed in at least eight shootings northwest of Phoenix. About 30 people were gathered in the home, including young children, as the group celebrated with fireworks and food, Mendez told Fox News Digital. If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here. "He was the love of my life. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here. Shooting at Surprise home on 4th of July leaves 3 men dead, including suspect. Gunshots rang out at a home in Surprise, Arizona, on the evening of July 3 as Mendez, his two daughters and his seven-month pregnant wife gathered with friends and other families to celebrate the . Gunfire broke out at the home and a woman who lives in the area said she heard the gunshots, and initially thought they could be fireworks, investigators say. 1 dead, 12 injured stemming from drive-by shooting spree in Arizona. All rights reserved. ( WLOX /Gray News) - More details are surfacing about a mass shooting at a prom afterparty in Bay St. Louis that left two dead and four others injured. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. But ultimately, two husbands and fathers are gone. One of them was shot, but will survive. According to the probable cause document, during an interview with detectives, Tricarico indicated he believed people were following him around after being involved in a shooting in Phoenix about a month ago, according to the court documents. CNN . Surprise police, Glendale police, Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, FBI, and ATF are also assisting with the investigations. In this still image from drone video courtesy of Arizona's Family, is the the scene where a suspect was taken into custody in a white SUV following multiple shootings in Surprise, Ariz., on Friday, June 18, 2021. 2023 FOX Television Stations, until SUN 5:00 PM MST, Maricopa County, Yuma County, Yuma County, Murder, Money and the End of Days: The Lori Vallow story, Lori Vallow trial: Full-length audio files from inside the courtroom, U.S. investigators release new report on deadly Arizona gas line blast: Here's what you should know, North Phoenix preschool opens new campus weeks after they were evicted from old premises, Lori Vallow murder trial day 19: Hair from 'Doomsday mom' found on duct tape wrapped around dead son, Phoenix tattoo artist is helping clients find signs of melanoma: 'We got your back', North Phoenix preschool opens new campus after eviction battle, Suns fans cheer on team while away in Denver for game 2 of playoffs, Utah chief medical examiner: Tammy Daybell was bruised and asphyxiated. Breaking News During the news conference, Surprise police were asked about Hunts social media posts and military background. NICHOLAS COUNTY, W.Va. (WDTV/Gray News) - An elementary school principal in West Virginia was in for quite a surprise Monday morning when he encountered a bear in an unusual place.James Marsh, the . On Aug. 18, over a month after the shooting, one of the victims in the shooting spoke out for the first time. A GoFundMe has been created by Johnson to help with medical expenses. Mendez turned around when he heard a gunshot. Tricarico told police that an "unknown male" pointed a gun at the suspect at a car wash Thursday morning, after which Tricarico then allegedly bought ammunition for his AR-15-style rifle, according to the court documents. "Ashin thinks every vehicle and person he drives past is pointing a gun at him," police stated in their report. She ran outside and hid for safety and eventually found her kids at the neighborhood park. "By the glory of God or the adrenaline and just everything, just the will to live and the will to protect my family, I was able to hear those pleas, those yells for help. Mendez said. The Surprise Police Department also asked anyone with information regarding the incident to call (623) 222-4000 or 623-222-TIPS (8477), or [email protected]. #220202768. The two other victims have been identified as 38-year-old Carl Dinora and 41-year-old Conrradito Ochoa Navarro. The incident happened around 6:30 p.m. near Loop 303 and Grand Avenue. A man was walking on the sidewalk near 115th Avenue when he saw someone in a white SUV shooting at him. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. When the deputy approached the crashed car, the driver started shooting at the deputy. "Just as he's trying to pull out his other firearm, that's when I stopped the threat right then and there," said Mendez. Ruth Gonzalez said Jason Hunt was not invited to the party and just walked in. Peoria police said 19-year-old Ashin Tricarico of the town of Surprise was booked Friday morning on suspicion of murder, aggravated assault, drive-by shooting and endangerment. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. SURPRISE, Ariz. (NBC) - Two people are dead and three others were injured in a shooting at a family gathering in Surprise, Arizona yesterday. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Because again, there is no gun laws for criminals.". This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Four others, including Mendez, were left seriously injured. "She just thought, like, you know what? 1:34. The incident, according to police, happened at a home near Grand Avenue and Reems Road. The shooting, according to reports, happened near Grand Avenue and Reems Road. A short distance away, at 99th and Olive avenues, Tricarico reportedly pulled out his gun and fired a shot but did not hit the victim's car. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy |Community Guidelines | FCC Applications | Jobs/Internships |, Daily News Updates A short time later, around 11:30 a.m., police received another call for a shooting off of the Loop 101 at Thunderbird. He was put it this way a lot of people are hurting because he was one of a kind. Arizona's Family; 5555 N. 7th Ave; Phoenix, AZ 85013 (602) 207-3333 . Surprise man watches home get set on fire through doorbell camera; suspect caught. SURPRISE, AZ Authorities are investigating a deadly shooting involving a Maricopa County Sheriff's deputy in Surprise Wednesday night. FLAGSTAFF, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) Thanks to a nonprofit, a second motel in Flagstaff is being converted into a homeless shelter to help with the housing crisis . Peoria police . Mendez's wife then found their two daughters, and hid in a closet as the shooting continued. Surprise police have determined the respondingshooterat a house wherethree were killed and four were severely injured acted in self-defense when46-year-old Jason Hunt was killed. PEORIA, AZ Police say a 19-year-old man went on a violent shooting spree across the West Valley on Thursday that lasted just 90 minutes, but left one person dead and a dozen others injured . 20-year-old Jordan Johnson was arrested after allegedly shooting and seriously . This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. When officers approached him, he reportedly yelled, "I have a gun," and reached under a pile of belongings, according to police. The victim was not injured in the incident. Jason engaged in small talk with several guests. While in the residence, Jason Hunt pulled out a gun and began to fire. He was given a plate of food and sat down, but only a few moments later, he stood, pulled a handgun out and shot at several individuals. Attorney information was not immediately available. "Did you ever think you would be put in this situation?" Mendez said he has carried a concealed weapon for years. He was later identified as 22-year-old Michael Gerhart. He is being held on $1 million bond, according to jail records. Reach breaking news reporter Sam Burdette at [email protected] or on Twitter @SuperSafetySam. Police later found two projectile strikes through the back window of his truck. No motive has been released in the case. "Surprised to see this in our neighborhood," a resident said. The customer allegedly charged Tricarico after he went outside to call 911. A lifetime NRA member, Mendez recently filmed a video for the NRA celebrating the Second Amendment and denouncing the media for not covering his story. The little girl is crying as the man tries to comfort her, telling her, its OK.. All rights reserved. FOX 10's Justin Lum reports. "A little up, a little down, any of those factors could have really adversely changed those factors for him," said Charles Johnson, Gamazo's boss at Desert ATV. (NRA), NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre highlighted in comments to Fox News Digital that the Mendez familys story "must be told because they are just one example of why the NRA fights hard to improve self-defense laws all across our country.". For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. There was crying and kind of wailing," said the woman, who did not want to be identified. Surprise police officers took the suspect into custody without incident. The shooting spree resulted in eight separate incidents within about an hour and a half, Surprise and Peoria police said. Active shooting. Officials say that's when an officer fired their weapon. He was grazed in the side of the head by a bullet while running a work errand on Thursday. You can see several Maricopa County Sheriffs Office deputies walking around - some with guns in hand, protective shields, and bulletproof vests. "You never know when I have to go out of my way to protect my family, my loved ones, or even a fellow innocent citizen," said Mendez. The victims who were not shot suffered other injuries, such as being struck by shrapnel from broken glass, according to Brandon Sheffert, public information officer for the Peoria Police Department, the agency leading the investigation. The woman's 3-year-old daughter was also inside the car at the time, seated in the rear driver-side seat but was not hurt. The 19-year-old told officers he believed he was being followed for the last week, and thought a shooting incident he'd been involved in the prior month while working as a security guard was the reason. Finding Forever. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. At about the same time or a short time thereafter, those in attendance migrated inside the home to eat, with Jason following. Around 12:20 p.m., officers were called to the . A total of five kids. According . "Just being a friendly neighbor, friendly host, he just invited him, like, Hey! "Luckily, I turned because it just got me at that perfect angle," he said. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. The incident happened around 6:30 p.m. near Loop 303 and . The victim was hit in the head by shrapnel. "Raul Mendez and his beautiful family are alive today because he was able to carry his firearm under NRA-backed Constitutional Carry," LaPierre said. She says she then began crawling on the floor to get to safety. BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. 2023 by KYMA / NPG of Yuma-El Centro Broadcasting. Now I dont have him, Gonzalez said. Others were injured by broken glass. One of the people who was injured from gunfire then shot and killed Hunt. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Surprise Police at 623-222-4000 or 623-222-TIPS - incident No. https://t.co/QKW7oeLW2a #PeoriaPDAZ #Peoriapoliceaz #Peoriaaz #westvalley pic.twitter.com/8YWMhs6N2o. Six days later, police provided more information on what they're calling a complex case. As far as his military affiliation, Im unsure at this time, and investigators are working the social media angle to find out more about him, said Bredell. Hunt is suspected to have killed 38-year-old Carl Dinora and 41-year-old Conrradito Ochoa Navarro in the gunfire. Copyright 2023 KTVK/KPHO. 9,540 Followers. The Surprise, Arizona, police department did not immediately respond to requests for updates on the case. "It's ridiculous. Surprise Police Dept's Tweets. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. And I was able to get up," he said. Responding officers located Tricarico's SUV and took him into custody. Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. Just 10 minutes later, at 11:40 a.m., a Peoria officer saw a Chrysler sedan with a shattered rear windshield and a projectile strike in a rear window pull off the road near 107th Avenue and Union Hills Drive. Police say officers responded to a call of a shooting near the . By Doha Madani. One suspect caught. Police found the first gunshot victim after 11 a.m. in a car in the area of N. 103rd and W . He pulled into a parking lot and did not try to fire at police officers during a traffic stop, Surprise police Sgt. Police have named one of the three men killed in a Surprise "unprovoked" shooting as the suspect. Judge Jeanine: 'Good Samaritan' did not break the law. New video shows victims desperate for help after a man shot several people at a party in Surprise. (NRA). Tricarico was taken into custody around 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, and police believe he acted alone. Surprise Squad. One person is dead and a dozen people injured after an apparent drive-by . "Detectives have determined the individual who shot Jason, and others who fought against Jason, were acting in self-defense and defense of other innocent parties," Sgt. Police identify man who shot first in mass shooting at Surprise party. On . The facts of the investigation show that Jason Hunt, a resident of the neighborhood, had been invited to the residence by the homeowner. My kids want justice for my husband. Armed man barricades himself in Surprise; police are . Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? However, he said he is grateful to be alive, and also said all that matters is that he protected his family. I came to the front of the house, there were all these people milling about. "I heard what I thought were fireworks going off in someones backyard off the street, and then I started hearing voices. Thank you to everyone who came out to join us. The victims reported hearing multiple shots fired at their vehicle before being hit by shrapnel from a broken window. We are maintaining close contact with Peoria officials today following the shootings & we will continue to monitor the situation closely. The shooting, which happened on July 3, left three people, including the suspect, dead. Cognitively, Gamazo is doing well, but his head and face are in pain from the bullet wound. KYMA KECY is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation. Police said all of the people involved knew each other. "The bullet just shattered my jaw, eye socket and nose, and actually came out my left eye.". The aggravated assault case is still under investigation, and Tricarico allegedly told police he shot in self-defense, the department said. Ive been in touch with @MayorCCarlat and offered our full support.. At noon on Thursday, the Peoria Fire Department reported to Peoria police that they had found an additional shooting victim near Loop 303 and Happy Valley Road. Several witnesses saw Tricarico flee the scene in a white Volkswagen SUV. Around 12:30 p.m., officers were called to the parking lot of a Walmart near Litchfield and . One person was dead and 13 people were injured after several shootings in the West Valley area outside Phoenix, officials said Thursday. Tricarico requested an attorney "when told he had killed a man" and the interview ended, the court documents stated. She shared this statement, it reads in part, "He was so happy with us and talked about our future constantly like imagining his future grandbabies. Just after 12:30 p.m., Surprise police were notified by the Surprise Fire Department, who had been made aware of the situation and the suspect description, that one of their trucks had seen the suspect's vehicle at a QuikTrip near Grand Avenue and Mountain View Boulevard. June 17, 2021, 5:56 PM. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Over a month after the shooting, one of the people who was shot spoke with FOX 10's Justin Lum about the ordeal. Raul Mendez was shot in the head as a result of the shooting. HERE ARE 10 TIMES LEGAL GUN OWNERS RECENTLY THWARTED CRIMES IN LIFE-THREATENING SITUATIONS, Raul Mendez, an Arizona man who was shot in the head at a Fourth of July Party, speaks out on the importance of the Second Amendment in NRA video. At 11:45 a.m., Surprise police received reports of two separate shootings at 115th Avenue and Bell Road. "His motive is still unknown at this point as detectives are still sorting through evidence to determine exactly what occurred," the department said in a statement. The deputy returned fire, striking the driver. That is why the NRA is committed to spotlighting these courageous American armed citizens.". One of the victims has . Anyone with information or who has been unable to get in contact with a family member or friend is asked to contact Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS, Sheffert said. Police do not believe there are any additional suspects in Thursday's shootings. "Obviously, we want to figure this out, because there's a lot of scared people and people this affected.". After seeing coverage of the shooting spree, the original witness reached back out to police, helping them locate the truck that afternoon. Mendez was shot in the head in front of his wife, who rushed to his side and believed he was dead due to the amount of blood covering his face. The suspect worked as a security guard at a restaurant. Arizona police had a suspect in custody after one person was killed and 12 other people were injured in a series of what appeared to be drive-by shootings Thursday. Four others were severely injured and several more sustained minor injuries. Investigators, initially, also said a "clash" between partygoers led to gunfire. Doha Madani is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News. FOX 10's Justin Lum reports. He just got up and shot the first victim, which was another one that passed away. Hunt reportedly walked over to the house and was offered food and drinks. 18:22. At the time they did not realize the incident was tied to any other incidents. There were three other children in there, not including my two daughters. And then I just hugged them tight and said, 'I don't know where's your dad, I haven't seen your dad,'" Gonzalez said. One person was killed and 12 more were injured Thursday after a gunman went on a shooting spree across cities in the West Valley area of Arizona, police said. As Hunt and other partiers had a bite to eat in the kitchen, the suspect pulled out a gun and began firing on the crowd, sending everyone fleeing, Mendez recounted. SURPRISE, AZ (3TV/CBS 5)-- Authorities say a man is dead after a shooting involving officers at a Walmart parking lot in Surprise Tuesday afternoon. AZ International Auto Show & New Car Buyer's Guide 2020 Model Year, three were killed and four were severely injured acted in self-defense, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The Volkswagen continued northbound, exiting at Bell Road. Thats not going to bring him back, I know, but it just hurts. She added there was no fight at the party and Hunt began shooting. But because I did, you never even heard about it," he said in the video. Tricarico told officers when he left his home Thursday morning, he went to a car wash where a man followed him in and pointed a gun at him. Then from there, he turned the corner past one of my friends and past myself. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. Man dead after police shooting at Walmart in Surprise, Arizona authorities say a man was shot and killed by responding police at an area Walmart. Per jail records he is being held on one million dollars bond. SURPRISE, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) -- Authorities say a man is dead after a shooting involving officers at a Walmart parking lot in Surprise Tuesday afternoon. Officers responded to a report of a shooting at 11:57 p.m. Brandon Gilliam, 28, was pronounced dead at . SURPRISE, AZ Authorities are investigating a deadly shooting involving a Maricopa County Sheriff's deputy in Surprise Wednesday night. The 12 injured people suffered non-life-threatening injuries and are expected to survive. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. He has since purchased two additional handguns for his family to train with, saying they are "more ready to confront [evil] with equal force now than ever. Tommy Hale said. Suspect in custody after Arizona shooting spree. Surprise, Arizona surpriseaz.gov/Police Joined August 2011. The man, his hands up, walked backward on command toward the officers before lowering his wrists and placing them behind his back before he was handcuffed, according to the footage posted by Neil Betrue, pastor at the nearby Church for the Nations. "Ashin thinks every vehicle and person he drives past is pointing a gun at him," the court documents stated. His posts show firearms, as well as a selfie with a shirt that reads "Master of Disaster.". Surprise Police Officer Barry Bredell said during a news conference on Tuesday that 46-year-old Jason Hunt was invited to the party when a fight broke out. A shooting in Surprise ended with three people killed, four injured, and others with "lesser" injuries. MCSO says a deputy responded to a crash in the area. Police arrived, and an employee told them 28-year-old Joseph Martin was trespassing and asked to get him off the property. An act of arson was captured by a doorbell camera at a Surprise home, and now, the suspect has been arrested . Gamazo was unable to speak to ABC15 due the fact that it's difficult to open his mouth from the pain and swelling. The Phoenix Police Department confirmed to ABC News that Tricarico was involved in a shooting on May 5 at a restaurant where he was working as a licensed armed security guard. However, during the press conference, Bredell said no children were at the party. Police have not filed charges yet in this incident, but say three people in a Toyota minivan reported that they were shot at by someone driving a white SUV around 11:50 a.m. Mendez noticed someone in the neighborhood let himself into the gathering, and at first, his friend was polite about it. The man, who was driving, suffered minor injuries after being hit by shrapnel. The bullet first hit the truck, then Gamazo's head. According to police reports released Friday afternoon, Tricarico's violent spree across the West Valley began with an incident around 6 p.m. Wednesday at a Circle K near Loop 101 and Olive Avenue. @PeoriaPoliceAZ book West Valley shooting suspect into @mcsoaz - 19-year-old, Ashin Tricarico, of Surprise, Arizona facing multiple charges including murder. Surprise police are asking anyone who may know something about the incident that could help solve what happened to contact them by calling (623) 222-4000, or 623-222-TIPS (8477) or e-mailing . Replies. The wife of Navarro, Ruth Gonzalez, says she was sitting inside when Hunt walked in and sat across from her. In total, four people were shot, one fatally, and nine others suffered various injuries in at least eight separate drive-by shootings that happened in Glendale, Peoria, Surprise, and along the West Valley freeways. He allegedly told police that in one of the shooting incidents, a pedestrian shot at him "so he shot back," and in a second incident, a man in a car pointed a handgun at him "so he shot back at him.". "Jason Hunts motive is still unknown," police say. "We don't know the nexus. Mendez was asked. Gamazo is at home recovering with family. She then grabbed their two daughters and put them into a room deeper in the house, barricading them and other children inside. 20, 2023 at 7:49 PM PDT. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. (NRA). Mass shooting survivor Wilson Garcia sheds a tear as he talks about his wife and son, who were killed in Friday's shooting, Sunday, April 30, 2023, at a vigil for his son in Cleveland, Texas.