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PHOENIX - Phoenix Police officials say they are investigating a deadly shooting that happened during the early morning hours of April 16 in Maryvale.
The shooting, according to investigators, happened in the area of 43rd Avenue and Thomas Road. Officers responded to the scene at around 1:30 a.m., and when they arrived, they found two women with gunshot wounds.
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Early morning drive-by shooting in Phoenix leaves woman dead: PD
Officials say one of the two victims, identified as 65-year-old Leibby Jeanneatte Smith, died at the hospital. Meanwhile, the other victim was described as having suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
"Early information indicates a vehicle drove by shooting at a business when the two women were shot. The vehicle drove away and is currently outstanding," read a portion of the statement.
An investigation is ongoing.
Business owners in the strip mall arrived to work Sunday morning to a crime scene.
"When we came in the morning, the whole shopping center was closed because they were saying the shooting," said Mohammad Khala, a nearby business owner.
Surveillance video from multiple businesses shows a truck leaving the retail parking lot.
Shoppers in the local businesses know the area has a bad reputation, but business owners say the issues are typically only during the night.
"In daytime, it’s beautiful, safe, a lot of kids, it’s a lot of families here, it’s safe," Khala said.
Anyone with information should call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS. Spanish speakers can leave an anonymous tip by calling Testigo Silencioso at 480-TESTIGO. Si tiene alguna información sobre este caso, llame a la línea de Testigo Silencioso (480-TESTIGO, 480-837-8446).
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'We want justice for our mom': Beloved matriarch killed in Phoenix drive-by shooting
"I rushed over there and when I went there, I found my mother on the ground," her son Alan said. "My mother didn't deserve what happened to her."
Smith was working her typical shift as a hostess at La Pupusa Loca when police say there was a drive by shooting
"This is a restaurant that's full of people eating, dancing, enjoying music, laughing. It's a place of joy. And somebody came and took all the joy from everybody," her son said.
Now the Smith family is forced to remember the matriarch of their family in photographs and in memories.
"My mom was a helpful person. She was dependable, she was reliable. She was the person who would call you every day to see how you were doing," Alan said.
With a GoFundMe page to help with expenses, the family is forced to make funeral arrangements.
They're asking one thing of the person or people responsible.
"I pray that the people that did this come forward and do what's right," Alan said. "We want justice for our mom."