Phoenix, Arizona, October 1, 2023 (Arizona Republic, abc15.com)
A man faces first-degree murder charges after he was accused of attempting to rob another man with a knife and chasing him into a Phoenix street, where he was fatally hit by a car.
On Sunday night, Phoenix police were called to 35th Avenue and Bethany Home Road for reports of a shooting. When they arrived, they found Frank Avila, 28, with a serious gunshot wound that was not life-threatening. He was taken to a hospital.
Police also found 26-year-old Martin Anaya north of the intersection on 35th Avenue. He had been struck by a car and was critically injured, according to police. He was later pronounced dead.
Maricopa County court records indicate that Avila had threatened to rob Anaya while on a city bus with a knife and attempted to stab two others. After the bus stopped, Avila chased Anaya as he tried to run away and was hit by a truck. Avila also tried to stab another individual after he walked away from the scene, according to court records…
After Anaya was struck by the car, a person in a different car saw Avila walking away from the area. While he was telling him to stop, court records state that Avila approached him and the driver with the knife raised above his head. The person who told Avila to stop then pulled out a handgun and shot Avila in the leg, according to court records.
Phoenix police spoke with the man who shot Avila and later released him…
Elena Santa Cruz, “Man was fleeing from attempted robbery when fatally hit by car in Phoenix, court records show,” Arizona Republic, October 3, 2023.
abc15.com staff, “Man dead, two arrested after stabbing, shooting, deadly hit-and-run in Phoenix Sunday night,” abc15.com, October 1, 2023.
Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania, October 1, 2023 (Daily News)
Two Philadelphia men have been charged with carjacking a woman who left her car running and went into a Sharon Hill convenience store.
Marquese Alexander, 27, and Allon Ruffin, 26, jumped in the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu outside the 7-Eleven at 1307 Chester Pike a few minutes before 2 p.m. on Oct. 1 while she went inside.
Borough Police Chief Richard Herron Jr. said while in the store, the victim saw someone get into the vehicle and drive off. She ran out after the car, drew her legally owned and permitted handgun and fired at the fleeing vehicle.
She had a valid license to carry and the weapon was legally owned by her, Herron said. She has not been charged. The investigation is continuing, the chief said…
Pete Bannan, “Philadelphia duo charged with Sharon Hill carjacking in which the victim fired at vehicle,” Daily News, October 24, 2023.
Cumming, Georgia, October 3, 2023 (FOX 5 Atlanta)
According to the victim, the incident unfolded as he was driving behind a black SUV, operated by 34-year-old Tyler Leikam of Cumming. Allegedly, Leikam initiated a “brake check,” prompting frustration from the victim. While both vehicles were stopped at a traffic light on Post Road, Leikam rolled down his window and began yelling obscenities at the victim.
The situation escalated further when Leikam exited his SUV and approached the victim’s vehicle. He began physically assaulting the victim through the window and, reportedly, retrieved a knife from his pocket, using it to stab the rear tire of the victim’s vehicle. At this point, Leikam allegedly turned toward the victim while still holding the knife. Feeling his life was in danger, the victim discharged a single shot at Leikam, striking him in the hand. The victim did not exit his vehicle during the altercation, according to the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office.
Leikam has been charged with Aggravated Assault, Criminal Damage to Property, and Battery in connection with this incident. He was taken into custody on the night of the incident and is currently being held at the Forsyth County Jail.
FOX 5 Atlanta Digital Team, “Road rage victim in Forsyth County shoots attacker in the hand, according to sheriff’s office,” FOX 5 Atlanta, October 5, 2023.
Chicago, Illinois, October 3, 2023 (ABC 7 Chicago)
A Concealed Carry License holder fired back at a gunman who shot a CTA bus supervisor on the city’s Southwest Side on Tuesday afternoon, officials said.
Chicago police said the drive-by shooting happened around 2 p.m. in the Archer Heights neighborhood. Chopper 7 was over the scene, where police squad cars surrounded a CTA bus under an overpass near West 47th Street and South Archer Avenue…
Hernandez said after the crash, more than a dozen people got out of the bus and impacted vehicles when someone inside a white Dodge Durango shot at them.
Police said one of the bullets hit the CTA bus supervisor, a 55-year-old man, who was responding to the crash…
Hernandez initially thought the tow truck driver was hit, but then saw him jump back up and run around the front of his SUV, where he fired two shots at the gunman. That tow truck driver, who didn’t want to go on camera, told ABC7 he saw the shooter take aim at him before he fired his own gun…
Police were speaking with the tow truck driver at the scene, and he was asked to stay behind as part of the investigation. CPD also confirmed a witness with a Concealed Carry License fired back at the shooters…
Cate Cauguiran and ABC 7 Chicago Digital Team Staff, “Chicago shooting: CCL holder fires back at gunman who shot CTA employee in Archer Heights,” ABC 7 Chicago, October 3, 2023.
Fort Worth, Texas, October 4, 2023 (CBS Texas)
According to Fort Worth Police, just after 10 p.m., South Division officers were called to a game room at 6938 South Freeway for a robbery and a reported shooting.
Two suspects entered the game room with firearms and announced a robbery, responding officers were told.
A man in the game room armed himself and tried to stop the robbery, according to the report, and was shot once in the chest during an exchange of gunfire with the suspects. The suspects fled the scene…
He was taken by a private vehicle to a hospital. FWPD said he is in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries…
S.E. Jenkins, “Man shot in chest trying to stop armed robbery at North Texas game room,” CBS Texas, October 4, 2023.
San Antonio, Texas, October 5, 2023 (Rock & Track, FOX San Antonio)
The car owner and the other person they were with were approached by a pair of suspects on their way out of a bar at around 2:45 a.m. on Thursday, a spokesperson for the San Antonio Police Department told Road & Track. The alleged carjackers then demanded they leave their vehicle and hand over their keys at gunpoint. The victims complied, giving their keys over to one of the suspects. One of the suspects then slunk into the driver’s seat of the vehicle, but quickly realized the vehicle featured a manual transmission. Unable to operate an old-school standard, the thief immediately exited the victim’s vehicle before returning to their own ride, which was occupied by the second suspect.
One of the suspects began to open fire on the failed robbery targets shortly after returning to their vehicle, police say. The victims then returned fire on the suspects, ultimately striking one of them with a grazing wound to the head. This ended the gunfight, with the suspects fleeing the location…
The suspects got into their own vehicle and drove to a home off Observation Drive where emergency services were called. That’s when officers were able to piece the two incidents together…
Lucas Bell, “Carjacker Who Couldn’t Drive Manual Car Shot by Car Owner, Police Say,” Rock & Track, October 6, 2023.
SBG San Antonio Staff, “Owner thwarts car theft when he opens fire on 2 suspects who couldn’t drive a stick shift,” FOX San Antonio, October 5, 2023.
Manhattan Beach, California, October 7, 2023 (ABC 7)
New video shows the moment a Manhattan Beach jewelry store employee took out a gun and shot at five suspects during a tense smash-and-grab robbery.
The incident happened just after 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Prestige Jewelers on N Sepulveda Boulevard.
The video shows several employees helping a couple when five suspects suddenly bum-rush the store. In another view, a surveillance camera captured what appears to be a sixth person – a man – holding the door open for the group.
The robbers immediately start smashing glass cases with hammers, snatching merchandise and placing them in black plastic bins.
Within seconds, the employee fires at least one round toward the suspects, who immediately run out of the store when they heard gunshots. The suspects took off in several cars waiting outside, police say…
Shayla Girardin, “Video shows moment Manhattan Beach jewelry store employee shoots at smash-and-grab robbers,” ABC 7, October 9, 2023.
Tucson, Arizona, October 12, 2023 (13 News)
TPD says officers responded to the 3000 block of north Tyndall Avenue for reports of a shooting about 11:20 p.m. Thursday October 12…
Detectives learned that two men were in the parking lot near their vehicles.
Police say at one point, Daniel Cortez and Vicente Apodaca, with their faces concealed, approached the two men in the parking lot, and tried to rob them at gunpoint.
The two men drew their own handguns and shot Cortez and Apodaca before calling 911.
Both men also spoke with police at the scene…
At this point, no charges have been filed. Detectives will present the case to the County Attorney’s Office…
13 News Staff, “UPDATE: Tucson Police identify men killed in Tyndall Avenue shooting,” 13 News, October 13, 2023.
Virginia Beach, Virginia, October 13, 2023 (WAVY)
Virginia Beach police said a man was shot the morning of Oct. 13 at Newpointe Condominiums.
“At this point all available evidence indicates the individual who fired the gun was using justified force to defend himself,” the VBPD said, in a statement. “There are no pending criminal charges currently.”…
The team was installing a hardwood floor inside a second floor condo on Pillar Court when a woman in the condo below started complaining about the noise. She called police around 8:30 in the morning…
Officers left and the crew continued their job…
The owner tells us an hour later a man appeared and started beating up one of his guys.
“My guy went to put him in a headlock and the suspect pulled out a gun,” the man explained.
He told 10 On Your Side his team tried wrestling the gun out of the man’s hand with no luck. That’s when one contractor pulled his own gun in self-defense.
“He forewarned the gentleman, please drop your gun, please drop your gun,” the man said, recalling the situation.
The man didn’t drop the gun and the contractor fired. The crew called for help and stayed on scene. Police say two men were detained for questioning and were later released. No charges were filed. However, the owner of The Floor Doctor wants the woman who brought upon the whole situation to be held responsible…
Michelle Wolf, “Local flooring company involved in shooting says it was self-defense,” WAVY, November 3, 2023.
Bloomington, California, October 13, 2023 (KTLA)
According to early reports from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, deputies from the Fontana Station responded to the 18600 block of Valley Boulevard in unincorporated Bloomington around 8:15 a.m. on a report of a vehicle burglary in progress.
The caller, identified as 36-year-old Alexander Marquez of Rancho Cucamonga, made the initial call to authorities saying that a man was breaking into a vehicle.
Marquez then allegedly shot the suspect, identified as Dennis Smith, 24, of Hemet, before deputies arrived on scene…
Officials say Marquez fled into a nearby business after shooting Smith. He was detained a short time later and was released without charges…
Will Conybeare, “Man shoots alleged car burglar after calling police in San Bernardino County,” KTLA, October 13, 2023.
Richmond, Virginia, October 14, 2023 (WRIC)
According to police, officers responded to the 1400 block of Hopkins Road at around 10:06 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14 for a report of a shooting…
The victim told police that an unknown man tried to rob him outside of a business and shot him several times. The victim, who was armed himself, took out his gun and fired back at the suspect but didn’t hit him.
The suspect, who was captured by security cameras in the area, ran away from the scene on Hopkins Road towards Holly Spring Avenue…
Will Gonzalez, “Richmond Police looking for attempted robbery, shooting suspect,” WRIC, October 17, 2023.
King Of Prussia, Pennsylvania, October 20, 2023 (NBC Philadelphia)
Police are searching for multiple suspects after a fight led to a shooting in a parking garage at the King of Prussia Mall Friday night…
According to Police, the man told officers that he was in the lower level of the Blue Parking Garage trying to sell sneakers to another party and that’s when a fight ensues.
The man said while he was distracted, a suspect put a gun to the back of his head. The man then began to fight the suspect with the gun, police stated.
The man, who police said has a license to carry, fired his own handgun during the struggle. Police said it is believed the suspect also fired a weapon…
Cherise Lynch, “Multiple suspects sought in King of Prussia Mall parking garage shooting,” NBC Philadelphia, October 21, 2023.
Cincinnati, Ohio, October 20, 2023 (FOX 19 Now)
Police say 16-year-old Travis Johnson was shot and killed by an employee at the VIP Smoke Shop in the Delhi Plaza Friday morning.
According to police, they say they believe Travis broke into the store with a group of four or five others.
The business was closed but police say the employee in the back of the store armed himself and fatally shot the 16-year-old…
Mike Schell, “Police: Woman shot during vigil for victim of fatal shooting in Delhi,” FOX 19 Now, October 23, 2023.
