An early morning welfare check on Pacific Drive in Avondale turned into a major felony case Sunday, after police found a man with severe head injuries inside a home and rushed him to the hospital in critical condition. Investigators say the attack appears to have involved a hatchet, and officers detained a suspect at the scene as they opened an active felony investigation.
What police say
According to Arizona's Family, officers were called just before 6 a.m. for a welfare check at a home on Pacific Drive near Central Avenue and Buckeye Road. When they got there, they found a man suffering from serious head injuries. He was rushed to a hospital, where he was listed in critical condition.
Investigators told the outlet they believe the victim was struck in the head with a hatchet, and that a suspect was detained at the scene as part of the unfolding investigation.
Charges and booking
According to Arizona's Family, Funes was booked on charges of attempted second-degree murder, burglary and unlawful means of transportation. Those counts were listed in booking information following his detainment.
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office maintains public inmate and booking information online that residents can use to check custody status and basic case updates.
Investigation details remain limited
Authorities have not released any information about a possible motive or whether the suspect and victim knew each other, and detectives say the investigation is still active. The Avondale Police Department is handling the case and is asking anyone with information or relevant footage to contact detectives through the department's tip line.
What comes next
If the Maricopa County Attorney's Office files formal charges, the case will move to arraignment in county court, where bail and future hearings will be set. Members of the public can check Maricopa County's court and inmate portals for docket activity and booking status as the case moves forward.
Anyone with tips is asked to call the Avondale Police non-emergency line or submit information through the city's online resources listed on the police page. Local officials did not immediately release further details about the victim or the suspect's custody status.
