A senseless act of violence in Ahwatukee has left a 17-year-old dead and another teenager seriously injured after a shooting occurred late Tuesday night. Phoenix police responded to a scene at an apartment complex around 11:30 p.m. near 48th Street and Warner Road. Upon arrival, officers discovered one teen shot and in severe condition. He was quickly transported to the hospital where he is now in stable condition, according to azfamily.com.
The tragedy unfolded further when a car was found crashed into a nearby tree. Inside, 17-year-old Malachi Tyler Henningham was found dead with at least one gunshot wound, investigators said. The circumstances leading up to the shooting are still unclear, and local law enforcement is actively urging any witnesses to step forward to help to possibly identify suspects, as reported by azfamily.com.
Malachi's family is left to grapple with the profound loss. His mother, Leisa Rose, in a statement obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix, expressed the agony of losing her son, saying, "It's so sad. It's sad when a mom has to bury her 17-year-old. It is sad. It hurts." Malachi was not only remembered as a good child who was getting his life back on track but also as a new father with a love for basketball and his two-month-old son.
The impact of the loss reverberates beyond immediate family, with Malachi's girlfriend Nevaeh MacDougall sharing her grief in an interview with FOX 10 Phoenix, "It's not fair that he's gone. He should be able to watch his son grow up and watch his son learn how to walk and talk. He should be here for me because I'm not sure how I'm going to do it without him." In an effort to support the family during this difficult time, a GoFundMe page has been established for Malachi.
Authorities are appealing to the public for aid, and a reward has been announced for information that will lead to an arrest. Silent Witness can be contacted at 480-WITNESS or 480-TESTIGO for Spanish speakers, with the option for callers to remain anonymous. The community waits for justice as the investigation into the shootings continues.
