Family of deadly shooting victim speaks out, Phoenix Police search for gunman

PHOENIX (FOX 10) - Phoenix Police continue to search for a suspect accused of shooting and killing a man in a 7-Eleven parking lot. The victim was a father of three and his family is asking for justice.

Joseph Deleon's family is devastated, calling this killing senseless, ultimately taking away a father from his fiancee and three young kids.

"About 11:00 he was on his way here, we were going to sit around, talk, probably have a couple beers and he didn't make it," said David Hoover, a good friend of Deleon.

David Hoover remembers waiting for his good friend Joseph Deleon to come over Saturday night like he had done so many times before.

"We didn't expect this to happen, nobody expects this to happen," said Hoover.

Around 11:30 Saturday, February 23 Deleon stopped at the 7-Eleven at McDowell Rd and 24th St where Phoenix Police say he was shot in the parking lot. The suspect tried to drive off in Deleon's car but failed and decided to run off into the road before being hit by a car. He then got up and left the scene.

"He ain't a man he's a coward, help find him, bring him to justice," said Hoover.

Deleon died at the hospital, only 32-years-old, leaving behind a fiancee and three kids. His oldest, Mya is heartbroken.

"He would take us to school, pick us up, and he cared for us a lot," said Mya Deleon, Joseph's daughter. "He did everything for us."

Tony Deleon says his nephew worked in construction, loved the Arizona Cardinals, and put his family first.

"Joey's a good man, he's never did anybody wrong, we're just praying for justice to take place," said Tony Deleon, Joseph's uncle.

His daughter has a message for the suspect running free.

"He took a guy that had a wife and kids and loved ones that really loved him," said Mya.

Phoenix Police is asking anyone with any information to please contact them.

There is a GoFundMe set up in Joseph Deleon's name. Donate here.