PHOENIX — Phoenix police are investigating a deadly shooting in central Phoenix.
At about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, officers were called to the area of 19th Avenue and Bethany Home Road for reports of a shooting.
When officers arrived they learned a male employee of a Chevron convenience store was shot and an adult male suspect left before police arrived.
Officers were later informed by witnesses that the suspect walked a short distance and then turned the gun on himself, officials said.
The employee, identified as a man, was treated by Phoenix Fire medics but was pronounced dead at the scene.
The suspect was taken to a hospital where he died from his injuries, police said.
It's unknown what led up to the shooting.
Police have since identified the shooter as 40-year-old Jaime Flores and the victim as 30-year-old Shane Knoll.
“I don’t want to know anything about Christmas right now,” says Mary Knoll. “It's just never going to be Christmas again.”
In a season that’s supposed to be merry and bright, it’s difficult for Mary Knoll to find the light.
"I just I don't know what I'm going to do without him. He was my only son,” Knoll says.
An investigation remains ongoing.
Working at the automotive business in the area, Roman Yslava sees plenty looking out the garage.
Yslava called the police after watching the incident at the convenience store across the street.
"I've never seen stuff like that, I couldn't believe it happened," said Yslava.
Witnesses say the suspect appeared to be using drugs before he walked into the gas station.
Yslava says he spoke to the man just moments before the shooting.
"As I can see as he was talking to me, he had a jacket over, he had a piece of foil and a straw," he said.
Yslava says the suspect walked into the gas station, then he saw the man come out into the parking lot where he watched the man take a couple drags from a cigarette before turning the gun on himself.
"Out of the blue, he just pulled out a revolver and pop, heard a pop and he fall to the floor," he said.
After seeing what he did, Yslava can't help but let his mind wander.
"I know I'm going to drive home right now thinking, that could have been us. He could have pulled the gun out on us and shot us not caring who," he said.
Flores previously pled guilty in a drug case in 2016. In 2017, he went to prison for burglary. Last month, he made a plea deal in a case for aggravated assault and drugs. He was sentenced to probation.
