Cab driver involved in shooting released

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - The family of a man shot and killed outside a Phoenix gas station is demanding justice after the accused shooter was released from jail. The case remains under investigation, but no charges were filed against the suspect, a cab driver named Joseph Petty.

The victim's family is outraged and wants to know why. They are angry the man arrested for the killing of Michael Lopez is out of jail. The Maricopa County Attorneys Office has not formally charged Petty, so legally he had to be released after 48 hours. His family says they will not rest until they get justice.

Mariana Diaz spoke about the death of her cousin Michael Lopez following an altercation at a gas station last Thursday.

"Our family is left with nothing, and we just want to lay him to rest peacefully, and we can't do that until we have justice," said Mariana Diaz.

In his first appearance in court last week Petty cried and said he was sorry to the victim's family.

"I wish there was some way I could reach out and hold them and make it go away, but I don't think that's possible," said Joseph Petty.

Diaz says none of that changes things for Lopez's family including six children and another on the way.

"I feel like he cried because he was scared, I don't feel like it was sincere; I don't feel like he really meant it. I don't feel like any of it came from the heart," she said.

Diaz says the family is upset that Petty is out of custody, for now, they are hoping he is formally charged soon.

"I honestly have faith, my family is never going to stop until we get justice, we're never going to back down, it's not a fight that we're just going to throw in the towel, it's not happening," said Diaz.

The Maricopa County Attorney's Office says they have requested more information from Phoenix Police in the case, from there they will then decide whether to file formal charges.