Over 300 shell casings were recovered in a west Phoenix neighborhood following a deadly shooting that occurred in the early morning hours of Sunday, leaving a 21-year-old woman dead and a teenage boy injured. Phoenix Police officials, who responded to the incident, revealed that shots were fired at a large house party near the intersection of 35th Avenue and McDowell Road. According to a statement given to FOX 10 Phoenix, a large crowd was seen fleeing the scene as law enforcement arrived.
Victims of the shooting were identified by authorities as Amanda Franco, 21, who was pronounced dead at the scene, and a juvenile male who was later brought to the hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. The investigation into the matter uncovered that the violence broke out following an altercation at the party, which escalated to gunfire outside the residence. "As officers were arriving, a large group of people were [seen] running and driving off from a large house party," detailed the statement obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix.
An eyewitness account shared with 12News described a chaotic scene. "They started shooting like crazy. We got a bunch of bullets toward us. We started getting hit over here from this side, from that side, they were shooting at us from everywhere," said a man who chose to remain anonymous.
The Phoenix Police Department reports that several homes and vehicles in the area were struck by gunfire. The sheer volume of shell casings found indicates the scale of the gunfire exchanged during the confrontation. "Multiple individuals exchanged in gunfire, resulting in over 300 shell casings found throughout the area," according to the Phoenix PD statement reported by FOX 10 Phoenix. The department is urging witnesses or individuals with video evidence to come forward and assist in the investigation. Material can be submitted through the Phoenix police online form and those with information can also reach out to Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS for anonymous tips.
A reward of up to $1,000 is being offered to individuals whose tips lead to an arrest or indictment in this unsolved felony case, as part of Arizona's Silent Witness program.
