Two arrested after 17-year-old killed at west Phoenix park

Updated 9:45 p.m. Arizona time Thursday, Sept. 10: Phoenix police have made two arrests in connection with the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old boy at a neighborhood park near 83rd Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road, 12News reported Thursday.

West Valley Post had not independently confirmed the arrestees’ identities or individual booking charges in a primary police or court record as of the update time. An arrest is an allegation and does not establish guilt.

The 17-year-old died after being shot at the southwest Phoenix park shortly after midnight Tuesday, Sept. 8, according to police accounts reported by local news organizations.

Phoenix police officers responding to a shooting call found the boy unresponsive with a gunshot wound. Officers began emergency treatment before Phoenix firefighters arrived, and the victim was taken to a hospital, where he later died.

Two arrests announced

12News reported Thursday that police announced two arrests in connection with the teen’s death. The new report marks a significant change from Tuesday evening, when police had announced no arrests and had released no description of a possible suspect.

Authorities had not publicly identified the 17-year-old by name in the earlier reports reviewed by West Valley Post. Further details about the people arrested, the allegations each faces and what investigators believe led to the shooting require confirmation from police or court records.

What investigators previously disclosed

ABC15 reported Tuesday that officers were called just after midnight and that homicide detectives were investigating. Arizona’s Family reported that emergency crews took the unresponsive boy to a hospital after officers provided lifesaving treatment.

In an evening update, FOX 10 reported that police described the victim as 17 and said the shooting happened at a park next to homes in the area. The station reported that surveillance video showed a vehicle arriving near the park around the time of the gunfire, but police had not confirmed whether the vehicle or the people seen in the recording were connected to the shooting.

How to provide information

Anyone with information may contact Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (480-948-6377), or 480-TESTIGO for Spanish speakers. Tips to Silent Witness may be submitted anonymously. Information may also be provided directly to the Phoenix Police Department at 602-262-6151.

The intersection is within Phoenix city limits, and the investigation is being handled by Phoenix police.

This remains a developing case. West Valley Post will update the article when police or court records establish the identities, allegations and custody status of the people arrested.