Phoenix-area homicides in June 2023: 1 dead near 39th Avenue, McDowell Road in Phoenix
For the month of June, The Arizona Republic is documenting homicides in the early stages of investigation. If you have a tip about an incident we've reported on, or on one we've missed, send us information at https://azcentral.formstack.com/forms/homicide_tips.
Here is a list of known homicides being investigated, from the most recent.
Joe Gutierrez, 34, found in an alley near 39th Avenue, McDowell Road in Phoenix
What happened: Phoenix police officers responded to a call of foul smell in an alleyway and found dismembered human remains inside a bag. Police later identified the dismembered victim as Joe Gutierrez, 34.
Where and when: June 28, near 39th Avenue and McDowell Road.
Arrests: 30-year-old Carlos Guadalupe Leon Soto was arrested for his involvement in this case. He was booked on multiple felony charges including hindering prosecution.
More information: Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Phoenix police at 602-262-6151 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS or 480-TESTIGO for Spanish.
Lashaw White, 18, killed in Phoenix shooting
What happened: Officers responded to a shooting call. Upon arrival, they found a man suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Phoenix fire officials pronounced him dead at the scene. The suspect fled prior to police arrival. Police later identified the deceased as Lashaw White, 18.
When and where: On June 22 at 10:38 p.m., near 16th and Jones streets.
Arrests and charges: Police arrested and booked Candace Allen, 18, on multiple felonies including first-degree murder.
More information: Those with information are urged to call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS to remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.
Fabian Rivera, 17, shot and killed in west Phoenix
What happened: Officers responded to a call about a shooting after 17-year-old Fabian Rivera was taken with a severe gunshot wound to a local hospital, where he later died. At the scene, police found evidence of a shooting.
When and where: On June 20 after 11 p.m., near a park at 85th Drive and Encanto Boulevard.
Arrests and charges: Evidence at the scene led police to arrest several leads, but all individuals were released after questioning. A suspect had yet to be identified.
More information: Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Phoenix police at 602-262-6151 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS or 480-TESTIGO for Spanish.
1 dead after shots fired into car in Tempe
What happened: Tempe police officers found a vehicle struck by gunfire multiple times. Police said the occupants inside were shot, with one unidentified person dead from their injuries. It was unclear how many occupants inside were injured.
When and where: On June 20 at around 9:15 p.m., near the area of Baseline Road and 48th Street.
Arrests and charges: Police said the suspect or suspects remained outstanding.
Betty, William and Lance Lammers dead in suspected murder-suicide in Phoenix
What happened: Phoenix police were responding to a welfare check when they found three people dead inside a home. Police said preliminary information suggests 50-year-old Lance Lammers shot his mom and dad, 81-year-old Betty Lammers and 78-year-old William Lammers, and then turned the gun on himself.
When and where: On June 20 at around 9 a.m., at a home near 14th Place and Rose Lane.
Arrests and charges: No arrests were made. The investigation was ongoing.
Jacob Carlson, 18, shot after fight at Gilbert house party
What happened: Early Sunday morning, Gilbert police responded to a shooting call and found an 18-year-old Jacob Carlson shot in the chest and upper torso. He was transported to the hospital and later died from his injuries, according to police.
Upon investigation, police say they believe the man was shot after an altercation occurred in the backyard of a small house party. No other injuries were reported.
Where and when: June 18, just after midnight, at a residence near Baseline and Gilbert roads in Gilbert.
Arrests and charges: Police arrested 17-year-old Zachariah Brandon Ezell in connection to Carlson's murder. Ezell was charged as an adult with one count of premeditated first-degree murder, first-degree burglary, disorderly conduct, endangerment and a minor carrying a firearm.
More information: Witnesses are asked to contact Gilbert Police Department at 480-503-6500 with any information.
Isaiah Panez, 22, stabbed in Gilbert parking lot, died in hospital
What happened: Gilbert police responded to a stabbing call in a parking lot. Upon arrival, officers found 22-year-old Isaiah Panez, with multiple stab wounds and began life-saving measures, police said. The man was transported to the hospital where he later died of his injuries.
Where and when: June 18 at 1:16 a.m. on North Ash Street and West Vaughn Avenue in Gilbert.
Arrests and charges: Police arrested 36-year-old Dennis Fernando Pacheco in connection to this homicide on June 20.
More information: Witnesses are asked to contact Gilbert Police Department at 480-503-6500 with any information.
Raul Chavez, 41, dead with gunshot wounds after crash in west Phoenix
What happened: Phoenix police responded to reports of a shooting. When officers arrived, they found a vehicle crashed into a building. Police then found a man, later identified as Raul Chavez, 41, dead inside the crashed vehicle with gunshot wounds, according to police.
Detectives later investigated the case and indicated that Chavez was in an altercation with unknown suspects before the shooting happened, police said.
Where and when: June 17, just after 4 a.m., near 35th Avenue and McDowell Road in Phoenix.
Arrests and charges: There were no named suspects. Details about what led to the incident are under investigation, according to police.
May 2023: Phoenix-area homicides
Kenneth Lemons, 27, shot and killed in east Phoenix
What happened: Phoenix police responded to reports of a shooting where they found a man with gunshot wounds. The man, later identified as Kenneth Lemons, 27, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Detectives then investigated the case and found that Lemons was involved in an argument with a man and a woman in the area of the shooting. Both Lemons and the man involved in the argument were armed during the argument, according to police.
Where and when: June 16, shortly after 10 a.m., in the area of North 51st Street and McDowell Road.
Arrests and charges: No arrests have been made and police did not name a suspect or suspects. The investigation of what led up to the shooting is ongoing.
18-year-old woman killed by boyfriend in Tempe
What happened: Tempe police responded to reports of a shooting. A couple, an 18-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man, got into an "unknown altercation" while they were in their car, resulting in the man shooting her multiple times. The man then exited his car and shot himself, landing him in the hospital.
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene by responding Phoenix fire crews, while the man was taken to a nearby hospital.
Where and when: At around 8:00 p.m. on June 15 in the area of Interstate 10 and W. Broadway Road.
Arrests and charges: Police said once the man is medically cleared, he will be booked into jail on the appropriate charges.
Parker League, 18, killed; Chandler man arrested
What happened: The remains of Parker League, 18, of Nebraska, were found dismembered and burned in a bonfire pile.
Where and when: Around 6:59 a.m. June 12 in Tonto National Forest.
Arrests and charges: Anthonie Ruinard, 37, of Chandler, is charged with first-degree murder in the case.
Stephanie White, 31, killed; man arrested at Mesa house party
What happened: Mesa police officers responded to reports of a shooting and were told by witnesses that the suspect, later identified as 31-year-old Charles Norice, was involved in a verbal argument and physical altercation inside the house with another man at the party. Both men went outside where Norice pulled a gun from his vehicle and fired into the air. The suspect then fired at the other man, striking a woman who was standing behind him. The suspect went back into the house where he also pointed the gun at a few other partygoers, according to police.
Officers arrived and located the woman, identified as 31-year-old Stephanie White, in the front of the house. She was hospitalized but later died from her injuries.
When and where: On June 11 just after midnight at a residential area near Higley Road and E. Southern Avenue in Mesa.
Arrests and charges: Norice was found in the backyard behind some bushes and taken into custody. He was booked with second-degree murder, aggravated assault and disorderly conduct.
Man found dead in west Phoenix alley
What happened: An unidentified man was found dead after police received a welfare check call, saying a man was lying in an alley. The man showed "obvious" signs of trauma.
When and where: On June 5 after 6 a.m. near 36th Avenue and Melvin Street.
Arrests and charges: An investigation was underway. The suspects were outstanding, according to police.
More information: Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Phoenix police or Silent Witness at (480-WITNESS or 480-TESTIGO for Spanish).
Jordin Castillo, 20, killed; 2 others injured in Glendale shooting
What happened: One woman was killed, and two others were injured after they were shot at a Glendale apartment. When police arrived, they found three people with life-threatening injuries. Police announced on the morning of June 5 that one of the victims had died. She was identified as 20-year-old Jordin Castillo. Family members of Castillo described the offense as an act of domestic violence at a press conference that afternoon.
Glendale apartment shooting: Woman killed by ex-boyfriend after social media dispute, police say
When and where: On June 4 at around 2:30 p.m. near 51st and Northern Avenue in Glendale.
Arrests and charges: On June 5, police say the suspect, 22-year-old Reuben Rocha, turned himself in.
Man killed in Tempe drive-by shooting
What happened: According to preliminary information obtained by Tempe police, an SUV pulled up to the passenger side of a car going north on Rural Road and started shooting. The SUV drove off in an unknown direction and the other car drove to a nearby gas station where the driver called for medical help for his friend, who was in the passenger seat and had been shot. He was taken to a hospital where he later died. He was not identified.
When and where: On June 4 at about 1 a.m. near Rural Road and Broadmore Drive in Tempe.
Arrests and charges: Police said they identified suspects in the incident but their names weren't released. Police did not confirm whether they had been arrested as of June 4.
Mesa man charged in wife's shooting death
What happened: Mesa Police Department responded to reports of a shooting in a home in the early hours of the morning. When they arrived, they found the suspect exiting the residence with blood on his hands and clothes. When officers entered the home, they found several firearms throughout the house and the body of a woman with multiple gunshot wounds lying on the bed. The 911 call came from the victim's son, who had witnessed part of the shooting, police said.
When and where: Just after midnight on June 5 at a home near Hobson and Main Street in Mesa.
Arrests and charges: David Hahn Osowski, 43, was arrested and faces a first-degree murder charge.
Jerry Carter, Jessica Velasquez killed in north Phoenix shooting
What happened: Phoenix officers heard several gunshots and observed a man running from the scene, police said. Officers chased and detained the man, later identified as 20-year-old Jermaine Smith, police said. Additional officers responded and located three victims, all suffering from gunshot wounds. Two of the victims, 65-year-old Jerry Carter and 55-year-old Jessica Velasquez, were pronounced dead at the scene. The final victim, a woman who was not identified, was taken to a local hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.
Read more: Man arrested after bus stop drug deal ends in 2 dead, 1 hurt, Phoenix police say
When and where: On June 3 about 3 a.m. near 29th Avenue and Bell Road in Phoenix.
Arrests and charges: Jermaine Smith, 20, was booked on "several charges related to this investigation," including murder, according to the Phoenix Police Department.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix-area homicides in June 2023: What we know
