CASA GRANDE, AZ — Two teens were arrested, and a third suspect is also now in custody following the shooting of a 10-year-old girl in Casa Grande Monday night.
On Tuesday, detectives arrested two juvenile males, ages 15 and 16, on multiple charges, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Both teens were identified as shooters, Casa Grande Police said.
A third suspect, identified as Francisco Solano Jr., 18, was also being sought. Police said he was considered armed and dangerous.
Police said Friday he was taken into custody.
Chief of Police Mark McCrory released a statement Wednesday, saying:
The reckless discharge of firearms in our community puts innocent lives at risk. In this case, a 10-year-old girl was struck by gunfire, and countless other members of our community were in the area when this shooting occurred.
I also want to recognize the tremendous assistance we received from our community. Witness statements and video provided by our citizens, combined with footage captured by our Safe City technology, gave our Detectives critical evidence as they worked to identify those involved. That cooperation between our community, our Officers, and our Detectives is what helped bring us to this point so quickly.
Two suspects are now in custody, and our work is not finished. We know who the third suspect is, and we will continue working until Francisco Solano Jr. is located and taken into custody.
Police said officers responded to the shooting near Casa Grande Avenue and McMurray Boulevard just before 7 p.m. Monday.
When authorities arrived, they located the scene in front of the Casa Grande Union High School District office.
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Shortly after, officers were called to a nearby convenience store for a report of a 10-year-old girl suffering from a gunshot wound to her shoulder, which detectives said was connected to the original scene.
The child was taken to the hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
