1 shot, 1 dead south of Maricopa (2 p.m. update)

Early this morning, at approximately 2:15 a.m., AZ DPS received a report of a shooting at the rest stop area near mile post 150 and Interstate 8.

Both DPS and Pinal County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded, finding a 35-year-old resident of Mexico who had been shot one time in the abdomen.

This area, close to Antelope Peak, is in the Vekol Valley area south of Stanfield and Maricopa.

The victim was treated at the scene and taken by air ambulance to Maricopa Medical Center where he immediately underwent surgery. His condition is unknown.

Deputies were able to speak with the victim briefly before he was transported. He reported he was traveling in a group of about 15 people. The group stopped to rest when they were approached by another group that opened fire. The victim reported that after he was shot, he ran and made it to the rest stop.

Members of the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, DPS and U.S. Border Patrol are searching the area for other possible victims, witnesses or suspects. 
 
By 8:51 a.m. another victim has been located in the area. This victim, also an adult male, is deceased.

According to PCSO Public Information Officer Tim Gaffney, “We are still searching by ground and air for any additional victims, witnesses or suspects.”

UPDATE:

The original shooting victim, who underwent surgery earlier today for his gunshot wound, 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 shooting took place near Antelope Peak, a known smuggling route used by the cartels for drug and human trafficking.

At the scene the victim told PCSO deputies that he and 14 other individuals, who had come up from Mexico, were walking toward Interstate 8 when they stopped to rest and another group of individuals opened fire on them. A second, deceased victim was found earlier this morning by members of the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, Arizona Department of Public Safety and U.S. Border Patrol.

Evidence at the scene led investigators to believe the original 15 individuals were smuggling marijuana into the United States from Mexico. Evidence also shows the 15 individuals were confronted by what is believed to be a  “Rip Crew” when the shooting took place. 

Following the shooting, the “Rip Crew” members carried the marijuana to a vehicle which stopped along Interstate 8. The marijuana was loaded into the vehicle, which then left eastbound on Interstate 8.

Detectives were able to develop information during the investigation which shows some of the individuals involved may have been taken to a home in Stanfield.

At 1 p.m. several local, state and federal law enforcement agencies surrounded the residence in Stanfield. Six individuals are currently being detained at that residence.