Amarillo police said Wednesday, March 25, that they have arrested the third suspect in connection with the string of separate March 22 shootings that took place during an outbreak of violence in the city.
Over the past several days, Amarillo Police Department Task Force Officers (TFO), Violent Crimes Unit Detectives (VCU), Proactive Criminal Enforcement (PACE), and the Amarillo Regional Crime Center (ARCC) have been actively investigating the shooting that occurred at a house party in the early hours in the 300 block of South Mississippi.
Through the investigation, the suspect was identified as 20-year-old Azaiah Zuniga-Valle.
APD said Zuniga-Valle allegedly contacted an acquaintance and then forced the individual at gunpoint to drive him to a Walmart in Hereford to obtain a new cell phone.
Officers found him at the Walmart, where he was arrested on an on-view charge of aggravated assault, as well as two outstanding warrants for aggravated assault.
He was booked into the Deaf Smith County Jail.
APD said a Glock pistol was recovered from under the driver’s seat of the vehicle.
According to police, additional information developed during the investigation, which may result in further federal charges.
In the first of three separate incidents that morning, Amarillo officers had responded to shots fired at 3:15 a.m. on Sunday, March 22, in the 300 block of South Mississippi Street and found two individuals suffering from gunshot wounds. One person was taken to a local hospital by private vehicle, while the second person was taken to the hospital by Amarillo Medical Services.
A preliminary investigation indicated that a man attended a house party at a residence where 15 people were present. During the gathering, he displayed an AR-15 style rifle and was asked to leave. After he exited the residence, he turned back around toward the house and fired multiple rounds into the structure, striking two people. He fled the scene prior to officers’ arrival.
The investigation remains ongoing.
The string of shootings left 6 dead and 10 injured. One of the suspects was taken into custody, and another suspect died in an officer-involved shooting after exchanging gunfire.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Suspect in Mississippi Street shooting arrested
Reporting by Kristina Wood, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
