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Man arrested in connection with 11 drive-by shootings
Phoenix Police officials say the suspect, 24-year-old Manuel Sierra, was arrested in Buckeye on May 11, following a series of drive-by shootings that began on December 31, 2021. FOX 10's Brian Webb reports.
PHOENIX - Phoenix Police officials say they have arrested a 24-year-old man in connection with a series of drive-by shootings that began on New Year's Eve 2021.
According to a statement released on May 12, the suspect, identified as Manuel Sierra, was arrested on May 11 in Buckeye.
"These shootings targeted multiple members of one extended family, and occurred over the span of the last 6 months in south and west Phoenix," read a portion of the statement.
The first shooting, according to police, happened in the area of 25th Avenue and Baseline on Dec. 31, 2021, when someone opened fire, striking a home and two cars in the driveway.
"Over the next six months, the shootings continued with 11 additional homes and multiple vehicles struck by gunfire," officials wrote. "During at least half of these shootings, the homes were occupied at the time."
No injuries were reported, according to police.
Manuel Sierra
"During these six months, the families targeted also received threatening text messages tied to the shootings," read a portion of the statement.
The list of shooting incidents provided by Phoenix Police officials reveal the shootings happened in residential areas in various parts of Phoenix, including South Phoenix.
Investigators say they determined that Sierra was a past romantic partner to someone related to the victims.
Neighbors react to shootings
Following Sierra's arrest, people in a West Phoenix neighborhood where some shootings happened spoke out about the ordeal.
The family who lives at the scene did not want to talk on camera.
"It was scary stuff. Come down shooting, five or six times at random," said Carlos Valenzuela. "The first time, she heard the first shots. The second time, we were watching TV at 1:00 in the morning."
Police staked out neighborhoods and spoke with witnesses. They also used high-tech ballistics techniques in the investigation.
"I’m glad it’s over with," said Didi Valenzuela. "Now we can feel safe."
Indicted on 72 counts
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Man indicted on 72 counts in connection to drive-by shootings
Sierra is facing 72 counts in connection to the shootings, the Arizona Attorney General's Office announced on June 6 in a news release.
"In the indictment, prosecutors state Sierra targeted and shot at homes and cars and in some cases while occupants were inside, putting residents in grave danger," the news release said.
In all the shootings, no one was killed.
"We were very fortunate that none of the multiple shots fired over the past few months took an innocent life," said Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. "We cannot, however, underestimate the fear, anxiety and sense of worry these families felt as each night passed, not knowing when the bullets would come again. Thanks to the arduous work of the Phoenix Police Department, Sierra can no longer terrorize a community."
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