December 25, 2024

Shooting in Chandler leaves 19-year-old dead, 17-year-old in serious condition

Chandler #Chandler

logo: Chandler police © The Republic Chandler police

Chandler police were investigating a shooting near Pecos Road and Arizona Avenue that left a man dead and a teenager in critical condition on Wednesday.

About 2:45 p.m. a 19-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl were found inside an apartment with life-threatening gunshot wounds and were taken to the hospital, according to Chandler police. The man died late Wednesday. 

Police had initially reported the victims were younger. They clarified the ages, without providing the identities, on Thursday afternoon.

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The 17-year-old remained in the hospital in critical condition as of Thursday afternoon. 

Police arrested William Sandusky Jr., 27, and another man who was not identified.

Court documents state Sandusky was associated with the apartment where the shooting occurred, although officials did not specify how. Court documents say he was seen fleeing the scene after the shooting.

According to court documents, a man in the area held Sandusky at gunpoint until police arrived. The man told police Sandusky attacked him and a woman inside their home, records state.

The man and woman in a home near the area said that after they heard a commotion they looked into their backyard and saw Sandusky standing by a backyard shed, which had the door torn off, according to court documents. 

The man opened the backdoor and Sandusky Jr. rushed toward him, pushed past him and struck him in the head with the door, police said. Then Sandusky Jr. chased the woman, strangled her and suffered a contusion, court documents say.

The man armed himself and threatened to shoot Sandusky, who then ran out the backdoor. Court documents say the man held Sandusky at gunpoint until police arrived and arrested him.

Officers found two handguns in the backyard believed to have been dropped by Sandusky. 

Investigators found loaded magazines and firearms in the apartment where the shooting happened, as well as items associated with Sandusky, according to court records. The items weren’t specified.

One of the weapons police believe Sandusky left behind was a revolver, which according to court records was consistent with the shooting scene. 

Sandusky was booked on suspicion of aggravated assault, first-degree burglary and possession of a weapon by a prohibited person. More charges are expected to be filed against him, according to police. 

Another man, a 28-year-old man, was booked on a misdemeanor warrant. Police were investigating his involvement in the shooting. 

Details about what led up to the shooting were not disclosed by police.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Chandler police at 480-782-4130.

Reach breaking news reporter Angela Cordoba Perez at Angela.CordobaPerez@Gannett.com or on Twitter @AngelaCordobaP.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Shooting in Chandler leaves 19-year-old dead, 17-year-old in serious condition

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