TEMPE, AZ — Tempe police have announced the arrest of three people connected to a shooting at the Arizona Mills Mall last month.
Around 7:30 p.m. on September 13, police say an argument broke out between two groups of people in the food court. The argument led to a shooting in the mall, though nobody was injured.
On Tuesday evening, officials announced the following arrests of three people:
A 16-year-old suspect was arrested for:
- Four counts Aggravated Assault, a class 3 felony
- One count Misconduct Involving Weapons, a class 4 felony
- One count of Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm, a class 6 felony
- One count of Disorderly Conduct, a class 6 felony
- One count of Minor in Possession of a Firearm, a class 6 felony
- One count of Misconduct Involving Weapons, a class 3 misdemeanor
- One count of Criminal Damage, a class one misdemeanor
19-year-old Gabriel Victor Garcia was arrested for:
- Four counts Aggravated Assault, a class 3 felony
- One count Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm, a class 6 felony
- Two counts Endangerment, a class 6 felony
- One count Disorderly Conduct, a class 6 felony
22-year-old Marvin Hooks was arrested for:
- 1 count Conspiracy, a class 3 felony
According to court paperwork, the 16-year-old had fired a gun approximately 6 times toward the direction of three victims, and almost shot a restaurant worker.
Court paperwork states the 16-year-old and his half-brother, Garcia, were seen on surveillance footage following the victims into the food court. The minor had allegedly confronted them in line before pulling out a gun and began shooting toward the victims. Court paperwork says that Garcia had also pulled out a gun and began shooting. Both had left the mall after the shooting.
The minor allegedly admitted to investigators that he was involved in the incident and stated that "he originally thought he would go up and fight the victims or pistol whip them, but decided to shoot instead." He told investigators that two of the victims had flashed guns at him while he was walking around the mall and that they had allegedly shot him before.
The arresting officer notes in the documents that the 16-year-old had provided conflicting information and when he was told that he could have hurt or killed innocent people at the mall, "he showed no emotion and stated that was not where he aimed and that was not his fault, but rather the fault of the victims for everything they did leading up to his actions."
Police say 12 bullet casings were found in the food court. The incident prompted multiple sweeps of the mall by law enforcement.
Court paperwork says the 16-year-old in this case has previous drug offenses and was on probation for being a minor in possession of a firearm. A gun that was reportedly stolen was found at the minor's home during the investigation. He also allegedly told investigators that he sold the gun used in the shooting at the mall and that he often sells or purchases various firearms.
No other details have been provided.
