Arrest made after 7-year-old girl shot, killed during argument in Glendale

GLENDALE, AZ — An arrest has been made after a 7-year-old girl was shot and killed after an apparent argument in the West Valley overnight.

According to Glendale police, the incident took place just after midnight near 65th Avenue and Bethany Home Road.

Officials initially responded to a shot-spotter call for a single gunshot in the area. After officers located a shell casing in the area, someone involved in the shooting called from a hospital.

A 7-year-old girl had reportedly been shot multiple times during the incident, including in the head, and was already at the hospital for treatment. The child later died from her injuries.

No others were injured.

According to preliminary information, four people were in the vehicle — a mother, her boyfriend, and two children. The boyfriend had reportedly gotten into an argument with someone else just before getting in the vehicle and shots were fired at the family car when the mother was driving away.

Twenty-nine-year-old Terriance Armstrong, Jr. admitted to getting into an argument with another man, before shooting several times into the vehicle.

MCSO

Armstrong, Jr.'s vehicle was located near the shooting scene. Armstrong was later arrested in Phoenix.

Police documents also say Armstrong ditched his weapon in a Phoenix backyard and tried to flee from officers at the time of his arrest. He reportedly wiped down the vehicle involved in the incident and had luggage.

During his initial court appearance, the judge said Armstrong has a prior conviction of voluntary manslaughter in Tennessee and has had multiple arrests for drug sales and tampering with evidence.

Armstrong faces one count of homicide, drive-by shooting, aggravated assault, prohibited possession, endangerment, unlawful discharge of a firearm, and possession of drugs for sale.

Police say 3,000 fentanyl pills were located during their investigation that he intended to sell for extra money, according to police documents.

The investigation remains ongoing, however, police say they do not believe the shooting was drug-related.

"We're just glad that we're able to have a somewhat successful ending to a very tragic beginning," says Officer Ngalula with Glendale police. "You know, a young child was killed in a drive-by shooting and that is a concern to us and that's why we are very relieved to have made an arrest this quickly."