No leads, suspects in apartment shooting

Maricopa Police are no closer to determining who fired approximately 16 shots into Building C at the Oasis at the Wells apartments Aug. 9.

“We do not have any suspects at this time in the Oasis at the Wells case,” said MPD spokesman Sgt. Hal Koozer. “’We are still investigating and exploring all angles and chasing down all available leads.”

Apartments on the north side of the C Building at the recently opened complex were the target of gunfire that morning, with approximately 16 shots fired at the building. The shots were sprayed across several apartments.

MPD officers responded to a 6 a.m. suspected gunshots call at the apartments at 41535 W. Shea Way. According to Vila, a second caller reported bullet holes in their apartment and officers confirmed the damage. No injuries were reported, and police believe it was an isolated incident, not a random act.

Oasis resident Monisha Hill, 32, left for work at 5 a.m. and did not hear the shots, but said the shooting underscores the need for security in the apartment community.

“We need more protection, we need gates out here,” Hill said. “And these people, whoever was shot at, they need to be evicted. This community is nice; I don’t want that in here. We need better security and patrols. I’ve been out here (in the area near Walmart) for four years and nothing like this has ever happened. I’m shocked and spooked right now.”

Another resident of the building hit by the gunfire, who declined to be identified, said she did not feel the shots were directed toward her apartment.

A 39-year-old veteran and resident of the apartments who served in Iraq, echoed Hill’s sentiments about security.

“We just need security – any kind,” said the man, who declined to be identified. “Anything is better than nothing, because that (shooting) is not OK, especially with kids. I have a 7-year-old…and I’m not comfortable.”

Oasis at the Wells community manager Correne Bahr said the incident caught her off guard.

“I was surprised when I got the call because this is such a new community,” Bahr said. “But you never know what’s going to happen from day to day. We have had maybe three or four residents come in concerned about this because they have families.”

Bahr said because the gunfire “was all over. We don’t know which unit they were shooting at.”