Pinal County Sheriff's Office releases details on shooting at Antelope Peak

Shooting Update from Antelope Peak

On Thursday, April 14, the Arizona Department of Public Safety received a 9-1-1 call regarding a shooting which had occurred. The female reported her father was at a rest area near mile post 150 and Interstate 8. When DPS arrived, they found a 35-year-old male victim with a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

The shooting investigation was turned over to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies were able to speak with the shooting victim who told them he and 14 other individuals had come from Mexico and were walking towards Interstate 8. As the group stopped to rest from walking, they were approached by another group of individuals. The individuals opened fire on the group which had stopped to rest.

The victim reported he ran through the desert toward the rest area and called his daughter in Phoenix. The daughter in turn called 9-1-1 to report the shooting. The shooting took place near Antelope Peak which is a known smuggling route used by the cartels for drug and human trafficking.

The victim was transported by air ambulance to Maricopa Medical Center where he immediately went into surgery for his gunshot wound.

Members of the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, Arizona Department of Public Safety and U.S. Border Patrol began searching the area for additional victims, witnesses and suspects. At 8:30 a.m. a second shooting victim was located at the crime scene which was approximately one half mile south of Interstate 8. The second victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Evidence at the scene led investigators to believe the original 15 individuals were smuggling marijuana into the United States from Mexico. Evidence also shows the 15 individuals were confronted by what is believed to be a "Rip Crew" when the shooting took place.

Following the shooting, the "Rip Crew" members carried the marijuana to a vehicle which stopped along Interstate 8. The marijuana was loaded into the vehicle which then left eastbound on Interstate 8. Detectives were able to develop information during the investigation which shows some of the individuals involved may have been taken to a home in Stanfield.

At 1 p.m. Thursday several local, state and federal law enforcement agencies surrounded the residence in Stanfield. Six individuals are currently being detained at that residence.