Residents of Phoenix’s west side are on edge as they wonder if a serial shooter is targeting their neighborhood.
(FOX)- Phoenix police say they are investigating whether the same person is behind four incidents that have killed six people, including a 12-year-old girl, in the city’s Maryvale area.
The location, time of day and method of operation are some of the common factors among the slayings, which date back to April 1, Sgt. Jonathan Howard said. He declined to release further details.
Five of the victims died in shootings that occurred in a nine-day period last month. All of them were outside a residence at night when they were killed by gunfire from a vehicle. The crime scenes are within an area between 55th and 67th avenues and McDowell Road and Campbell Avenue.
Police held a forum with the community this week, advising residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious people or vehicles.
Authorities now believe an April 1 drive-by shooting was carried out by the same suspect or suspects. Diego Verdugo-Sanchez, 21, was in front of his house around 9 p.m. when an unknown vehicle approached, according to police. Someone then fired shots from inside the car. Verdugo-Sanchez was found with gunshot wounds. He died at a hospital.