Although authorities are attributing eight separate shootings and seven deaths to the suspected Phoenix serial killer, his identity remains unknown and it is unclear whether he has committed other crimes that are unknown at this time.
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A 21-year-old man, Diego Verdugo-Sanchez, was killed in an apparent drive-by shooting in his auto at 5500 W. Turney Ave. around 9 p.m. Stefanie Ellis, 33, was arriving home with her daughter Maleah Ellis, 12, and friend Angela Linner, 31, when they were shot, a family member told KNXV-TV.
The shootings are concentrated in the low-income neighborhood of Maryvale, with numerous victims shot while standing outside their homes, police said.
Investigators have released a sketch of the suspect – believed to be a white or Hispanic man in his 20s – based on information provided by a witness.
“She’s been through the ringer in Phoenix, as well as in Oxnard, she’s had that chief of police experience that a lot of people don’t get a chance to have”, Alan Williams said.
The FBI says it is assisting Phoenix police. There is a reward of up to $30,000 for information that leads to an arrest.
Police in Arizona are investigating several unsolved murders connected to a potential serial killer.
“I’m not asking people to be fearful”, Howard said. Then two were killed in April and two more in June.
Phoenix • Margarito Castro and his 19-year-old son, Manny, used to carpool together to work. All victims were shot outside near their vehicle or home at night. “The detectives looked at his social media, and they said he was a good guy”. She held on for nearly a month before succumbing to her injuries on July 7.
“We want the public to know that it will take a tip from them to stop this violence”, Howard said.
All these incidents are now believed to be linked.
Two of the newly listed shootings involved people wounded late at night on back-to-back nights in March.
A 16-year-old was shot while walking near 1100 E. Moreland St.at 11:30 p.m. His injuries were not life-threatening.
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On April 19, Krystal Annette, 55, was shot and killed in the 500 block of N. 32nd street. He said serial killers often operate in areas where they’re comfortable.
