Multiple arrests made in Tempe shooting that killed 5-year-old, injured 2 other kids
TEMPE, Ariz. - A child died, and two other kids were hospitalized after a shooting broke out between two vehicles near 52nd Street and Broadway, Tempe police said.
The incident happened at around 11:45 p.m. on March 17.
Police say a vehicle carrying one adult and six juveniles was driving eastbound down 48th Street when another car pulled up alongside it and opened fire, striking multiple victims.
"There were 24 rounds fired into the Chevy Impala," said Sgt. Greg Bacon with Tempe Police Criminal Investigations.
A total of three children were shot. One of them, a 5-year-old child, died from their injuries at the hospital.
The other two victims are in critical condition but are expected to survive.
On March 24, Tempe Police announced that multiple arrests were made in connection to the shooting. The suspects were identified as 17-year-old Charles Adams, 30-year-old DeMarcus Frazier, and 16-year-old Freddy Paterson in connection with the shooting.
The teenage suspects will be charged as adults, authorities said.
"As a mother and as the Chief of Police, our top priority was to solve the crime of a homicide to a five-year-old," said Interim Tempe Police Chief Josie Montenegro.
Information from the public led to the arrests, according to officials.
Shooting left people in the area shocked
"It’s actually sickening," says Ryan Hansen who's visiting from Utah with his son Logan. "It’s hard to understand, it’s hard to comprehend that would have happened."
The Hansons say their hotel window was facing the street when the shooting happened, but they were asleep and never heard gunshots.
"That person has to live with doing that, and he can’t take it back because he already did that," Logan said.
Olivia Allison from Los Angeles says she woke up in her hotel room and when she walked out, she saw the crime scene tape and officers. A sight she wasn’t expecting.
"I’m in fear," she said. "I’m going to check out of here."
"The death of the five-year-old is a tragedy, and our deepest condolences go out to that family," says Byron Thomas, Tempe Police.
A family won’t ever be the same, Allison says, who’s angered by what she calls a senseless killing.
"This is happening more and more each day, no consideration for human life," she said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Tempe Police at 480-350-8311.
Where the shooting happened: