Two men were killed and another was left fighting for his life after an early morning shootout in Phoenix, authorities said. The deadly exchange of gunfire took place around 2:45 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of 19th Avenue and Roeser Road, leaving 19-year-old Elijah Sanchez and 38-year-old Lucio Lopez Segura dead, according to FOX 10 Phoenix.
Responding officers discovered three men with gunshot wounds at the scene. Sanchez was pronounced dead on the site, while Segura was rushed to a hospital where he later died of his injuries. The third victim's condition was described as life-threatening, but his identity has yet to be released. Phoenix police are investigating the incident and initially, closed the intersection during their inquiry, the outlet reported.
In a separate report from AZ Family, details emerged of an altercation leading to the fatal incident. Detectives indicated that Sanchez, Segura, and two other men were embroiled in a fight that escalated into the shooting. A fourth man related to the shooting was not injured, he was detained for police questioning but has since been released pending further investigation. More information has not been made available as of yet.
Communities in south Phoenix are left reeling from the violence that has claimed the lives of two of their own and compromised the safety of others. The police have not yet identified suspects or motives, but the investigation continues as those who knew Sanchez and Segura grapple with the sudden loss. As the city wakes to the news of this tragedy, families and friends mourn, uncertain of what justice may be brought for those whose lives were cut down so brutally.
