GUADALUPE, AZ — The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office says a juvenile was shot and killed in Guadalupe overnight.
Emergency crews were called to the scene near Avenida del Yaqui and Calle Magdalena just before 1 a.m. Monday in response to a shooting report.
When MCSO deputies arrived, they located a victim who had been shot.
MCSO says the victim is a 15-year-old boy who was pronounced dead at the scene.
MCSO has not yet named the victim, but ABC15 spoke with a woman who says the victim is her son and he may have been killed after a recent school fight.
"I don't know how to feel right now. He was supposed to be at home. I should’ve kept him at home," said Blanca Longoria, who told us her son, Elias, was the victim.
Tempe Police confirmed to ABC15 that the young victim had been in a fight the week prior at Marcos De Niza High School.
Longoria said her son was suspended from Marcos De Niza for a few days, following the fight; but said Monday they were supposed to have a mediation.
"We were supposed to go to a meeting today," said the mother. "He was supposed to apologize to the other student."
This is the scene this morning. I just spoke to 15 year old Elias Longoria’s mother, Blanca Longoria. She said she believes the people responsible for killing her son did it because of a fight that had happened at school recently. Deputies say they do not have a suspect @abc15 https://t.co/FcYKS5SM7h pic.twitter.com/uyUPpIIpvo
— Amelia Fabiano ABC15 (@AmeliaFabianoTV) August 15, 2022
Tempe Police increased security at the high school Monday.
In the afternoon, the department tweeted that there had been "false claims...of an active shooter" on campus.
"Anytime a tragedy like this happens that’s what we are afraid of, any type of retaliatory [or] collateral damage that may happen because of it," said Sgt. Encinas.
At this time, no suspects have been located.
The investigation is ongoing. MCSO is the lead investigating agency, but Tempe Police are assisting.
The school's principal also emailed parents the following message Monday morning:
"In regards to safety, we will have an elevated security presence on campus this week from Tempe PD, our District security team, and additional security guards from other campuses.Our crisis support team has mobilized and will also be an additional presence on campus this week to provide counseling and other needed support to both our students and staff.Everyone reacts differently to loss. If your student is in need of extra support, please have them contact a teacher or trusted adult so they can be referred to the counseling team."
"In regards to safety, we will have an elevated security presence on campus this week from Tempe PD, our District security team, and additional security guards from other campuses.
Our crisis support team has mobilized and will also be an additional presence on campus this week to provide counseling and other needed support to both our students and staff.
