An altercation in the Christown Spectrum Mall parking lot escalated into gunfire last night, leaving one man hospitalized with serious injuries. Phoenix Police arrived at the scene near the junction of 19th Avenue and Bethany Home Road just after 7:30 p.m. following reports of the shooting.
Seargent Mercedes Fortune indicated it was a chaotic situation when officers arrived, citing a crowd of shoppers providing information. "When officers got there were so many people offering information," Sgt. Fortune told Arizona's Family News. One individual is now in custody in connection with the incident, though their role in the shooting remains undetermined. A second suspect is reportedly still at large.
The investigation is still in its early stages, but preliminary findings suggest the confrontation involved at least three individuals in the parking lot outside of a Dollar Tree store. Despite the violent turn of events, officials emphasized that this was an isolated incident, confined to the parking area, and did not spill into any adjacent businesses.
Aerial footage from Arizona’s Family News Chopper showcased detectives investigating near a black pickup truck that seemed to have been involved in a collision. "It was involved in a crash," Sgt. Fortune confirmed, without providing further detail on how it was linked to the shooting episode. Nearby, a window at America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses exhibited damage, but it was not immediately clear if it resulted from a bullet related to the shooting or from another incident that evening, according to statements obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix.
