Shooting breaks out during party at Tempe Airbnb, police say
TEMPE, Ariz. - Two people were arrested after a shooting reportedly broke out during a party at a Tempe Airbnb early Saturday morning, and police say the shooters have not been caught.
Officers received 911 calls about shots fired at a home near University and Hardy Drive at around 3:30 a.m. on Oct. 29.
Police saw multiple people running from the area and discovered that an "undetermined number of persons" started shooting outside the house during a party.
No injuries were reported, and police say they are still looking for the culprits.
One party attendee was arrested for having an outstanding arrest warrant, while another was taken into custody on charges not related to the shooting.
"This is an isolated incident and there is not believed to be any threat to the public," police said.
The investigation is ongoing.
Sharon Hargrove, a neighbor, said "I was just so scared," when asked about the shooting. "We’re used to parties in this area, big parties, but never any shooting."
Another neighbor, Justin Stewart, said his family was home and heard the gunshots ring out.
"My family’s in bed, and we just hear this whole flurry of gunshots," he said. "Something we’ve definitely never heard in this neighborhood before."
Neighbors say they'd rather have real residents in the area rather than people renting homes out.
"I’d rather have true residents and true people who live in this neighborhood and care about this neighborhood in this area," Stewart said. "This has only been an Airbnb for about a year, and now we’re talking about like how many rounds were shot off last night in a matter of seconds, so that’s what I’m hoping, that this can set off that broader conversation about Airbnb’s in neighborhoods."
Airbnb released a statement on the incident, saying, "We strongly condemn this senseless gun violence, and we stand ready to support the Tempe Police Department in their investigation. Airbnb bans parties as well as ‘party houses,’ and we have taken initial measures to remove this booking guest from our platform, as well as to deactivate this listing pending investigation."
The company provided information on its party ban.
"Specifically in Arizona, since the introduction of our party ban in 2020 we've seen a 55% year-over-year decrease in reports of unauthorized parties," the company said.
Another party shooting in Phoenix
Meanwhile, Phoenix police officers are investigating after shots were fired during a party at a home near 18th Street and Campbell at 11 p.m. on Oct. 28.
Police confirmed that there were signs that a shooting happened, but no injuries were reported and no arrests were made.
At least 50 people were at the party when officers arrived.