Phoenix police are ramping up efforts to apprehend 49-year-old Sidney Garrand, the man accused in a grisly road rage shooting that tragically ended the life of an 8-year-old girl, Cassidy Moreno, in late 2022. Garrand, who now has an outstanding homicide warrant, was indicted for second-degree murder among other charges. According to azfamily.com, the violent incident took a turn when Garrand, injured in a scuffle with the girl's father, retrieved a gun and opened fire on the family's car, fatally wounding Cassisy.
The search comes amidst heightened anxiety and sorrow for the Moreno family, who are grappling with a profound loss and the elusiveness of justice. "Please come forward," implored Michelle Hernandez, Moreno’s mother, in a statement obtained by ABC15. "It's very cowardly. If it were you on the opposite end, you would want justice for your child." Despite a significant bail of $500,000, court documents reveal Garrand was released from jail in January 2023 and has since been evasive, leading to delays in the trial set to commence April 16.
A reward of up to $2,000 is now on the table for information leading to Garrand's capture. Russ Richelsoph, a Tempe criminal defense attorney, weighed in on the manhunt, claiming that it is a matter of time before Garrand is found. He emphasized the increased difficulty of remaining at large over extended periods, especially with today's technological advancements in facial recognition.
Moreno's family, left to navigate the maze of grief and legal proceedings, is pleading for the public's aid. Thali Vargas, another of Moreno's aunts, stresses the humanity of Cassidy, not just as a victim, but rather as a beloved member of their family. "I think for us it’s just a matter of letting people know. That she wasn’t just the 8-year-old girl victim. That she was somebody’s daughter, sister, niece," Vargas expressed in an interview with azfamily.com shortly after the tragedy. Phoenix Police, asking for the public's assistance, shared Garrand's information through their official X account, reiterating the urgency of locating a man linked to such a heinous act.
Anyone with information on Garrand's whereabouts is encouraged to come forward.
