Police investigate deadly shooting outside Glendale hookah lounge

A deadly shooting in Glendale -- just moments into the new year, happened in a crowded parking lot and police still don't know who pulled the trigger.

Police don't have a suspect description or motive at this time.

Customers at the Casablanca Hookah Lounge near 51st and Peoria Avenues had just welcomed the new year, when shortly after, the sound of gunfire rang out in the parking lot.

Police say three men were shot. 28-year-old Keith George of Phoenix died. The two others are in their early 30s and are still being treated for their injuries at an area hospital.

Investigators believe a fight led to the shooting.

"We do have information that there may have been a physical altercation just prior, but at this point, we are unsure if that people were injured or the shooter or shooters were involved in the fight," said Sgt. David Vidaure.

The shooting happened in a strip mall parking lot. Glendale police officers were nearby checking on a dumpster fire when they heard the shots fired and rushed to the scene.

"They responded to the parking lot to do a welfare check and located groups of people running and located two victims that had been shot," said Vidaure.

Police found a third victim after stopping a car leaving the scene.

"Officers performed a traffic stop, believing that it was possibly related to the shooting and they found it was simply a vehicle trying to take the victim to the hospital," said Vidaure.

Police spent the morning collecting evidence, trying to identify a motive and suspect.

"We do believe we have folks that did see what happened and are hoping they will be cooperative and provide us the information we need to find out what happened and who did it," said Vidaure.

Investigators are looking at surveillance footage from the hookah lounge.

Anyone with information about what happened is urged to call the Glendale police at (623) 930-3000. You can also call Silent Witness at (480) WITNESS to remain anonymous.