Tuesday afternoon in north Phoenix turned into a crime scene instead of a routine homecoming when a resident walked into his apartment near 19th Avenue and Northern Avenue and reportedly found blood on the floor and his dog suffering from a gunshot wound. The animal was rushed to a veterinarian, and officers at the scene arrested a man they say was inside the unit, booking him on multiple charges.
According to 12News, arrest paperwork identifies the suspect as David Contreras and lists charges of burglary, unlawful discharge of a firearm within city limits, and animal cruelty. The documents state the dog had been shot in the neck and taken for emergency veterinary care, and that the resident reported finding Contreras lying next to the wounded animal. Officers reported recovering three shell casings and a handgun inside the apartment. The paperwork also notes that the resident believed Contreras may have used a hidden spare key to get inside, while Contreras allegedly told police he had permission to be there, claimed he fired at two dark figures he thought he saw on a patio, and admitted to using amphetamines earlier in the day.
Charges And Arizona Law
Unlawful discharge of a firearm within city limits is addressed in Arizona Legislature statute A.R.S. § 13-3107, which generally allows prosecutors to seek a felony charge under circumstances like those described in the arrest documents. Arizona’s animal cruelty law, A.R.S. § 13-2910, is outlined by the Arizona Legislature and treats serious abuse or killing of a domestic animal as a felony, while allowing lesser classifications for other conduct. Burglary penalties can escalate depending on whether the target is a residence and whether a weapon is involved. As FindLaw notes, having a deadly weapon during an unlawful entry can bump an allegation into a more severe degree of burglary. Together, these statutes give prosecutors significant leeway as the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office weighs how to charge the case.
Investigation And Next Steps
Police say the investigation is still active and that the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office will review the arrest documents and other evidence, 12News reports. Officials have not yet released information on a court date or bond. As detectives continue interviewing witnesses and combing through the paperwork, Phoenix police are asking anyone with additional information to contact the department.
