PHOENIX — The woman accused of shooting and killing a man near a July 4 celebration in central Phoenix has been released after claiming self-defense, according to the Phoenix Police Department.
Officers were called to an area near Camelback Road and Central Avenue just before 9 p.m. on Thursday after a 911 caller stated a verbal argument at a "First Amendment rally" was turning violent, a statement from Phoenix police said. Officers found a 51-year-old man dead from a gunshot wound when they arrived and another man suffering from a possible stab wound.
The man has been identified by Phoenix police as Paul Franco.
Officers detained a woman "hours later" who they believed was involved and took her to the police headquarters for questioning, officials said.
"After speaking to witnesses, obtaining surveillance footage, and processing the scene, detectives questioned the woman who provided a self-defense claim which occurred during a First Amendment demonstration. After consultation with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, the woman was released," a statement from Phoenix police said.
A decision on whether or not to charge the woman, whose name has not been released, will come when the investigation is complete, officials said.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Una persona murió y una más resultó herida en una balacera en el centro de Phoenix
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