GUADALUPE, Ariz. — A 17-year-old has died after he was shot shortly before midnight in Guadalupe, officials with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said.
According to early reports, the shooting happened near Calle Batoua and Calle Magdalena around 11:30 p.m. When deputies arrived, they found the teen injured and started to administer first aid.
The Guadalupe Fire Department rushed the teen to the hospital where he later died from his injuries. His identity hasn't been released at this time.
“It's a sad and unfortunate situation," Guadalupe Town Manager Jeff Kulaga said. "The Town of Guadalupe, our hearts and prayers go out to the victim and the victim's family.”
On Aug. 7, the sheriff's office arrested 18-year-old Albert Martinez for his alleged involvement in the shooting.
12News cameras have been at four separate acts of violence against teens in Guadalupe in the last year. That included a shooting last July, where a 16-year-old girl was shot and killed.
“This is not something we want in our town. It's something that mayor and council and town leadership and have their eye on regarding teen violence, domestic violence and everything involved," Kulaga said.
When asked what tangible steps can be taken to curb the trend of teen violence in the town of a little more than 5,000 people, Kulaga said it's a complex and difficult task to address.
“That one, that is a tough question. I mean, so many things come into play. And yeah, to give you a seven second sound bite on that one just just isn't going to work," the Town Manager said.
The MCSO Homicide Unit is working to learn more about what led up to the fatal shooting. Anyone with information about the shooting is encouraged to call 602-876-8477.
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