MESA, AZ — A woman is dead after a shooting in the parking lot area of a Hobby Lobby in Mesa Monday morning.
Just before 9:30 a.m., Mesa police were called to the area of Greenfield and Baseline roads for reports of a shooting.
Officials say a 61-year-old woman, Antoinette Leotta, was shot and killed. Her 27-year-old son was also shot and taken to a hospital where he is expected to survive.
According to police documents, one of the victims told police he and his mother were shot and the suspect, identified as Kenneth Dewayne Montgomery, fled the scene.
Montgomery’s vehicle was abandoned at a recreation area along the Bush Highway, and Montgomery reportedly climbed into the bed of another truck before being located by police.
Montgomery told police he shot the victims because he “thought they were involved in prior criminal activity,” according to police.
Police records show Montgomery showed no remorse for the shooting and said he intended to kill the victims.
Montgomery was booked into jail on charges of second-degree murder, aggravated assault, and discharging a firearm.
Police say the suspect and victims were "strangers" to one another.
