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Music group violence erupts in deadly Phoenix shooting

Posted at 1:34 PM, Feb 24, 2017
and last updated 2017-02-24 16:28:51-05

A conflict between rival music groups lead to a West Phoenix shooting that left a 17-year-old boy dead and a 15-year-old boy in critical condition.

On Feb. 16, police arrested Nathaniel Stokes in connection with the double shooting and is facing first-degree murder and attempted murder charges.

Police say that on February 13, Carlos Villareal,17, and a 15-year-old boy were shot outside a home near 35th and Northern avenues.

Both victims were transported to the hospital by friends who were at the house to pick up a cell phone and witnessed the assault.

The witnesses reportedly told police that two men approached the victims and asked them if they were "Los and Rodo." When they answered that they were, they were shot. Carlos Villareal was shot twice in the back and later pronounced dead.

Police say the 15-year-old boy was critically injured but is in stable condition.

Investigators found out that the victims were associated with a local musical group known as "murder family." This group, police say, is in an ongoing feud with a group named "My Brother's Keeper." Police found numerous social media post by members of the groups making threats against each other.

Police were able to identify a man with a Facebook name "Saucy TBG Nate" as the shooter. That man, police say, is Nathaniel Stokes. Stokes, 19, ran off after shooting both of the victims but was located and arrested a few days later.

Stokes reportedly admitted to being associated with "My Brother's Keeper" but denied being involved in the shooting.

Associates of Stokes reportedly told police that he was upset because the victims, who are members of the rival musical group, had disrespected a deceased friend.