BUCKEYE, AZ — Two men have been indicted after the deadly shooting of a pregnant teen in Buckeye.
Buckeye police say they were called to the area near Rooks and Broadway roads around 8:15 p.m. Thursday for a shots-fired call.
When officers arrived, they found three females, between the ages of 16 and 20, suffering from gunshot wounds.
One of the victims, who police have since identified as 16-year-old Rylee Montgomery, died at the scene. Police say she was pregnant, and her baby did not survive.
Two other victims, a 17-year-old girl, who was also pregnant, and a 22-year-old woman, were rushed to hospitals with serious injuries.
Following an emergency C-section, the baby of the 17-year-old girl was pronounced dead on May 20.
Witnesses reported two men running from the scene after the shooting, according to police.
According to officials, early Friday morning, a man was tracked down and taken into custody in Avondale, following a SWAT situation at a home near Dysart Road and MC-85.
The suspect has been identified as 18-year-old Michael Sanchez, who was in a relationship with Montgomery, police say.
Sanchez was booked into jail on multiple felony charges. He had his initial appearance on Friday night, where a judge denied bond.
Court records show Sanchez was previously arrested in March after Buckeye police said he left the scene of a crash and then fled from officers while going over 100 miles per hour. He was also charged with a DUI. Records indicate Sanchez was later released on his own recognizance.
In April, Buckeye police investigated an incident in which Sanchez allegedly assaulted Montgomery. Police say they also learned of an incident in Avondale when Sanchez threatened Montgomery with a gun.
“Investigators were unable to establish probable cause for an arrest,” Buckeye police said about the April incident.
On May 29, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced that Sanchez has been indicted for the shooting.
Sanchez was indicted on eight felony counts, including three counts of first-degree murder, and is being held non-bondable.
Buckeye police say another person, 19-year-old Antonio Tequida, was taken into custody on Sunday at a home in Avondale.
He was booked on a charge of hindering prosecution and indicted on the same day as Sanchez. Tequida is accused of driving the suspect to the location of the shooting and then taking him to a friend’s house to hide from police.
Tequida is being held on a $100,000 cash bond.
"I'm very thankful because the last couple of days waiting for them to find this person was pretty stressful for us," said Rylee's stepmom, Amy Montgomery, about the second arrest.
Through tears, Amy told ABC15 that her stepdaughter had been fearful of Sanchez. Amy said she and Rylee had reported threats to police numerous times, including the day of the shooting.
The Montgomery family showed ABC15 multiple messages they say were sent from Sanchez.
"They had plenty of opportunity to go get this guy," said Amy.
The Avondale and Buckeye police departments provided the following statements:
Avondale police statement
"On April 17th, the Avondale Police Department received a forwarded police report from the Buckeye Police Department regarding an aggravated assault that was believed to have taken place in Avondale in February 2026. That incident involved Michael Sanchez (then 17 years old) and his ex-girlfriend, a sixteen year-old female, who reported that Michael had pointed a firearm at her while at a residence in Avondale. The case went to our Criminal Investigations Bureau, and our detectives investigated it and did not find sufficient evidence to substantiate a crime."
Buckeye police statement
"The Buckeye Police Department has received some questions regarding a prior report involving Sanchez and Montgomery. Our records indicate on April 13, 2026, Buckeye police received a report that Montgomery had been assaulted by Sanchez several weeks prior in Buckeye. Police interviewed both parties who gave conflicting accounts of what happened. Investigators were unable to establish probable cause for an arrest. As part of the April 13 report, investigators learned of an incident in Avondale where Sanchez allegedly threatened Montgomery with a gun. Buckeye police notified the Avondale Police Department which investigated that report."
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