A fight between three men outside a Casa Grande liquor store erupted into gunfire Friday, leaving a 49-year-old man dead, a 41-year-old man injured, and a 40-year-old man in custody. Police say the chaos unfolded in stages, moving from a parking lot into a business and finally across the street before shots were fired.
According to azfamily.com, the fight broke out at the Liquor Factory & Deli near Trekell Road and Florence Boulevard. Casa Grande police officers responded to a report of a fight involving three men, according to FOX 10 Phoenix, which reported that the initial call came in at 5:25 p.m. Friday.
The altercation reportedly began in the business parking lot before moving inside, then back outside again. From there, the station's report indicates the fight crossed the street and ended up outside the nearby Pinal County Federal Credit Union, where shots were ultimately fired.
Conflicting Accounts on Where the Victim Died
Reports differ on the exact circumstances of the 49-year-old's death. abc15.com reported that the man died at the scene, while the azfamily.com account states he was taken to a hospital, where he later died. FOX 10 Phoenix, citing police, reported that the man died from gunshot injuries at the scene despite first aid efforts.
A 41-year-old man was also injured in the altercation and was taken to Banner Casa Grande Medical Center for treatment, per FOX 10 Phoenix's reporting. The exact manner in which he was hurt remains unclear, the outlet noted.
Detectives identified a 40-year-old man as the person who shot the 49-year-old, and he was taken into custody at the scene before being transported to the Casa Grande Police Department, according to the same FOX 10 Phoenix report. The azfamily.com account similarly described the man, who was not otherwise identified, as the alleged shooter arrested on the scene.
Investigation Remains Active
Police have not released the suspect's identity or detailed what led up to the confrontation. It also remains unclear whether the suspect and the two other men involved knew one another, FOX 10 Phoenix reported.
The area around the credit union was closed for several hours while detectives worked the scene, according to azfamily.com. abc15.com reported that the investigation remained ongoing as of its last update.
FOX 10 Phoenix said its reporting was based on information gathered from Casa Grande police officers, Casa Grande Police Department detectives, and Banner Casa Grande Medical Center. The outlet credited reporter Sara Filips with the article.
Friday's shooting comes roughly two and a half months after another fatal shooting outside a Casa Grande bar in August, when police said a 21-year-old suspect fled the scene and was considered armed and dangerous, according to FOX 10 Phoenix.
