GLENDALE, AZ — Glendale Police Department officials say a 16-year-old boy is dead after a shooting late Wednesday night near 67th and Peoria avenues.
The teen, whose name has not yet been released, was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries and later died.
Two teens were taken into custody in connection to the shooting. Glendale police say 19-year-old Joshua Rodas and a 15-year-old boy are being charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery and aggravated assault.
Court documents state the 16-year-old victim and one of his friends, referenced in paperwork as victim two, met up with Rodas and the 15-year-old to sell shirts. "Victim two" had purchased shirts in bulk and was selling them online. The 15-year-old suspect had contacted him and they agreed to meet up in a parking lot for the sale.
Rodas and the 15-year-old had initially purchased two of the shirts and later reached out to purchase more. The 16-year-old, "victim two" and a third friend, referenced as "victim three" in court paperwork, met with Rodas and the 15-year-old.
During the second meeting, Rodas told the 16-year-old that he wanted money back for the shirts that he bought. After getting the money back from the victims, court documents say Rodas pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the 16-year-old. The second suspect had restrained the second victim until the shooting happened.
The third victim got out of the car and pointed a gun at the second suspect, telling him to leave. The third victim told investigators that he began shooting at Rodas when he realized that the 16-year-old was being shot. Court documents say that Rodas was shot in the shoulder and he was taken to a hospital for evaluation.
Text messages between the two suspects show that the two planned to rob the victims.
