Man, woman dead following Avondale store shooting

AVONDALE, Ariz. (KSAZ) - UPDATE (3/1)

Avondale Police announced, in a statement, that Henry Cota Jr. died late in the day on February 28. An investigation, according to the statement, is ongoing.

UPDATE (2/28)

Police in Avondale said Tuesday that one of the two people were shot outside a Best Buy store on Monday has died.

According to police, a man and a woman were found shot inside the store near 105th Avenue and McDowell on Monday, and the woman has since died at the hospital.

The woman was identified by Avondale Police on Tuesday afternoon as Melissa Mendez, 26. According to police, she was an employee at the Best Buy store.

The man, identified as Henry Cota Jr., remains in critical condition. According to police, Cota and Mendez have a history of domestic violence between them.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe account has been set up to cover funeral expenses for Mendez. To learn more, click here.

Original Story (2/27)

Shoppers at one shopping center in Avondale were running for cover Monday, following a shooting.

The incident took place at an electronics store near 105th Avenue and McDowell Road, and two people were reportedly shot.

"I was just assuming that it was one of these mass shooters," said Melinda Brasher, who was at the store when shots were fired. "Just random people who wanted to kill as many people as possible."

Brasher said she was in the back of the store when she heard shots being fired.

"I didn't see anything," said Brasher. "I just heard shots and people running and shouting. So, I ran toward the back where the restrooms were and the emergency exits, and there was a lady in front of me and she couldn't get the emergency exit open."

Police later secured the scene, and said shots were fired in the store, and right outside of it. Two people were taken to the hospital, and police didn't say what, if any, relationship the suspect and the victims had.

Authorities said one person has been detained and two people were injured. No names have been released in this case.

Video from the scene: fox10phoenix.com/news-now