Triple shooting in south Phoenix leaves 2 dead, no arrests made

PHOENIX - Two people are dead after a shooting broke out during a party in south Phoenix early Sunday morning, police confirmed on Aug. 28.

Officers were called to a neighborhood near 27th Street and South Mountain just after 1:30 a.m. after residents reported hearing possible gunshots at a loud house party. Police arrived to find dozens of cars parked in the area, with some blocking the street, and that's when they started hearing gunshots from the backyard of the house.

Dozens of partygoers reportedly fled, and by the time officers were able to reach the backyard, they found that three men had been shot. Two of the men died at the scene, and one was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The victims are identified as Xavier Martinez, 21, and Robert Puentes, 21.

No suspect information was released. Anyone with information is asked to contact Phoenix PD or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.

A husband and wife have lived in their home nearby for 40 years. They didn't want to be identified but said they were concerned to find crime scene tape and patrol cars down the street for the second weekend in a row.

"This is the worst thing that's ever happened here," they said.

A week ago, a 23-year-old man was shot to death down the street and another was taken to the hospital. Police haven't confirmed if the two incidents are related, but the couple says it just can't happen again.