Suspect sought after man found shot, killed near west Phoenix middle school

PHOENIX - Police are investigating a shooting near a middle school in west Phoenix that left a man dead.

According to police, officers responded to a shooting just after 4:30 a.m. on April 14 near Desert Sands Middle School.

Once at the scene, officers found 36-year-old Reynaldo Medrano Jr., who had been shot. He was pronounced dead by firefighters.

During the initial investigation, police surrounded a house that was believed to be connected to the shooting, and several people inside the home were detained for questioning.

"The scene is still active, and we are working with the local schools to ensure everyone's safety this morning," Sgt. Brian Bower said in a statement. "This continues to be an active investigation, no suspect(s) have been arrested or identified at this time. All the individuals removed from the house are being interviewed as witness' by homicide detectives."

Police said on April 17 that no suspects are in custody.

"Detectives responded to investigate the shooting and to speak with witnesses," Sgt. Phil Krynsky said. "Currently, no suspects have been detained."

A neighbor says this isn't the first time something like this has happened where she lives.

"This happens a lot over here, it’s about the third time it happened with that house," said Angelina Micola Von Furstenrecht, a woman who lives in the area. "They have a lot of vagrants and homeless people that they let stay in there. Last time was a shooting and another time someone was just armed and acting wild."

No Desert Sands students or staff were on campus as the school operates a four-day-per-week schedule.

"It’s been locked down three or four times. Someone got stabbed, but they made it. Another time, walking around armed with a rifle. Tired of this in our neighborhood," Micola Von Furstenrecht said.

Neighbors say the woman who owns the home takes in a lot of people.

"I think she brings all these derelict people in, rents rooms. They’re laying all over. Too bad we can’t buy the house and clean it up," Rolf Micola Von Furstenrecht said.

Neighbors say the woman was friends with the man who was killed – she declined an interview.

Crime scene technicians spent the day gathering evidence inside the house. County records indicate its owners have lived at the home since 2009.

Meanwhile, other homeowners in this area say they are ready to re-locate. 

"We’re ready to move. It’s just too much crime, homeless people walking up and down the street. This neighborhood is getting scary, not like 20 years ago," Angelina.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 602-262-6151 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.

Area where the shooting happened: