PHOENIX — Officials have released new suspect information as they ask for the public's help following a deadly August road rage incident.
On Thursday, Arizona Department of Public Safety officials described the suspect as a thin-build, African American man with a short afro hairstyle.
The suspect's vehicle is described as a Chrysler Sebring, or Chrysler 200, with black painted rims or hubcaps.
The deadly shooting, described by police as a road rage incident, occurred near Interstate 10 and the 91st Avenue off-ramp in the early morning of August 15.
DPS says the woman, identified by police as 18-year-old Brittany E. Gutierrez-Bugarin, was a passenger in a vehicle and was shot by someone driving another vehicle. She was taken to the hospital and has since died from her injuries.
ABC15 spoke with Gutierrez-Burgarin's family, who said, "she was a really bright light."
The woman's family said her boyfriend was driving at the time and called 911 after the shooting.
"He tried to do everything he could to save her," said Alexa Torres, Bugarin's sister.
The shooter continued driving in their vehicle and has not been located.
Traffic restrictions and closures along I-10 were in place near 75th Avenue for several hours during the investigation resulting in heavy morning commute backups.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 1-877-4AZ-TIPS. No description has been given of the shooter or their vehicle.
Silent Witness is offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
*** UP TO $2,000.00 REWARD OFFERED***
— Silent Witness (@SilentwitnessAZ) September 5, 2023
On Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at about 12:38 a.m., an Unknown suspect driving West on Interstate 10 Freeway approaching 83rd Avenue was involved in a road rage altercation with the victim’s vehicle. The suspect fired a handgun at the victim pic.twitter.com/N9ocofzDIX
The woman's family has created an online fundraiser to help with funeral expenses.
