Antelope Peak shooting victim: Rip Crew member or smuggler?

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On April 14 at 2:15 a.m. the Arizona Department of Public Safety responded to a 9-1-1 call regarding a shooting at a rest area near mile post 150 and Interstate 8. When DPS arrived, they found a 35-year-old male victim with a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

The victim reported he ran through the desert towards the rest area and called his daughter in Phoenix. The daughter in turn called 9-1-1 to report the shooting. The victim was transported by air ambulance to a Phoenix area trauma hospital where he immediately went into surgery for his gunshot wound.

Investigators have yet to be able to determine the name of the individual (pictured) who was shot in the abdomen. He has also given conflicting information so it is not yet known whether he was part of the “Rip Crew” or the marijuana smugglers. He is still at a local hospital being treated for his gunshot wound.

The shooting took place near Antelope Peak, a known smuggling route used by the cartels for drug and human trafficking. The shooting investigation was turned over to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies were able to speak with the shooting victim who informed them that he and 14 other individuals had come from Mexico and were walking towards Interstate 8. As the group stopped to rest, they were approached by another group of individuals, who opened fire on the first group (which had stopped to rest).

Members of the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, Arizona Department of Public Safety, and U.S. Border Patrol began searching the area for additional victims, witnesses, and suspects. At 8:30 a.m. a second, deceased shooting victim was located at the crime scene, approximately one half mile south of Interstate 8.

The deceased individual’s role in the shooting at this time appears to have been that of the ‘Guide’ for the marijuana smugglers. He was involved in the shooting and fired a .45 caliber handgun before being shot to death.

Information developed during the investigation led local, state, and federal law enforcement authorities to a Stanfield residence. At the residence were Luis Grajada-Carillo (age 33 of Mexico), Edgar Soto-Lopez (age 30 of Mexico), Jesus Antonio Sanchez (age 35 of Mexico), Jose Moroyoqui-Jocobi (age 28 of Mexico), Arturo Mange (age 21 of Mexico) and Raul Servin-Madro (age 22 of Mexico).

All six initially denied having any involvement in the shooting incident. Through evidence and admissions, it was discovered later that all six were involved with carrying backpack loads of marijuana into the United States from Mexico. They admitted that they were carrying the marijuana when they were approached by three or four individuals who yelled at them to drop the marijuana. A gunfight then ensued between the Rip Crew members and the ‘Guide’ for the marijuana load.

All six were booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center for one count each of Transporting of Marijuana for Sale.

The marijuana was never located in this case. It was picked up by a vehicle along Interstate 8 and transported to an unknown destination. None of the other “Rip Crew” members or marijuana smugglers were located despite an extensive search of the area.

Submitted photo courtesy of PCSO