Body found in west Phoenix road, investigation underway
Man found dead in West Phoenix neighborhood
Police are investigating after a man was found dead in a West Phoenix street. FOX 10's Taylor Wirtz has more.
PHOENIX - There was a large police presence in West Phoenix on Sept. 23 after police responded to multiple calls for shots fired and found a body in the road near 107th Avenue and Broadway Road.
The backstory:
Phoenix Police said officers responded to several calls for shots fired just after midnight. Another caller reported seeing someone lying in the road.
"The caller thought that maybe this person had been involved in an injury collision with a vehicle," said Sgt. John Buchanan with the Phoenix Police Department. "When officers arrived, they determined that there was not in fact any collision."
The victim, 20-year-old Mark Carmel, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said the death is related to the shooting call.
"Preliminary indications were that this incident began when a group of people had been involved in a fight that escalated into an exchange of gunfire near 105th Drive and Wood Street. Mark Carmel was present during this incident and was subsequently dragged by one of the involved vehicles to 103rd Avenue and Broadway Road," Buchanan said.
Local perspective:
When our crews arrived on scene, Broadway Road was taped off from 103rd Avenue to 105th Avenue as investigators worked to piece together what led up to Carmel being found dead there.
It was an alarming sight for neighbors in West Phoenix to wake up to, with police tape stretching a block down the street, and a body in the road.
"I was shocked and scared," one neighbor said. "It’s very scary when it’s close to home."
Neighbors said it's not the first time they have heard gunshots outside their homes.
"All the time," the neighbor said. "All the time you can hear them."
What's next:
"At least one individual out there was detained by responding officers," Buchanan said. "I don't know yet whether or not that individual will be booked into jail."
The Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner will determine Carmel's cause of death. The investigation into this incident is ongoing.
What you can do:
Police are asking anyone with information to contact them or call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS to remain anonymous.
Map of the area where the body was found:
The Source: Sgt. John Buchanan with the Phoenix Police Department provided information on this story to FOX 10.