Maryvale – Phoenix Police Department has linked four more shooting cases in the area of Maryvale with a series of murders and attacks that started in March in west Phoenix, assumed to be actions from a serial killer.
On early June, officers said that there could be a possible connection between the four cases and previous shootings. Recent evidence showed the cases are in fact associated, raising to 8 the serial shootings in the city, with a total of 7 fatal victims.
Now investigators shared a sketch of the suspect responsible for the shootings. Residents are worried and scared about the life-threatening situations, and waiting for answers from authorities.
New links show that shootings started in March
On March 17, a 16-year-old boy was shot and wounded while walking at 11:30 p.m. near 1100 East Moreland Street. The next day, a 21-year-old male was shot near 4300 North 73rd Avenue while standing near his car on the street by 11 p.m. Though their injuries were severe, they were not life-threatening.
On April 19, Krystal Annette White, a 55-year-old woman, was found dead in the afternoon near 500 North 32nd Street from gunshot injuries. Later, on June 12, around 2:30 a.m., an unoccupied car was shot in 6200 West Mariposa Drive.
After an investigation, forensic evidence connected the reported cases in the area of Maryvale to four other cases in different parts of the city. Though there are minor differences between the recently identified cases, “in a totality of the facts and a totality of the evidence exposed at this point, we’re confident that these incidents are all linked,” Phoenix Police Sergeant Jonathan Howard told KJZZ.
On April 1, a 21 year-old-man called Diego Verdugo-Sanchez was shot and killed by 9 p.m. near 5500 West Turney Avenue. On June 3, Horacio Pena, 32, was fatally shot while returning from his job by 10 p.m. in 6700 West Flower Street. A week later, 19-year-old man Manuel Castro Garcia was fatally shot at 9:30 p.m. in front of his home in 6500 West Coronado.
On June 12, a shooting near 6300 West Berkeley Road ended up with three fatal victims: Stephanie Ellis, 33, her daughter Maleah, 12, and her friend Angela Linner, 31. They were killed outside their house at 3 in the morning.
All shootings happened in home areas and at night. Investigators and police officers have not found out any possible motives.
Neighborhood residents are taking measures, like a neighborhood watch group organized by the Guardian Angels. Shops are closing earlier so owners can get home before the night comes. But they are demanding information, because of the fear they feel with a serial shooter freely walking around.
Investigators are hoping to identify the suspect with the newly-released sketch. The expect from the people to be aware and report any suspicious or unfamiliar activity.
A $30,000 reward is being offered to any possible Silent Witness. Anyone that knows some information may call 480-948-6377.
Source: NBC News