PHOENIX — Police are currently investigating a shooting that left 3 boys injured in west Phoenix Sunday morning. Officials say they are expected to survive.
Phoenix police say the shooting occurred around 11:20 a.m. at a neighborhood park in the area of 95th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road.
Witnesses told police that two of the boys were seen in a dispute with a third boy, which escalated into a shooting.
One of the boys suffered critical injuries while the other two have non-life-threatening injuries, police said. On Monday, a police spokesman said that the boys are expected to survive their injuries.
It is not known what led up to the shooting or if there are any known suspects outstanding at this time.
Some neighbors told 12News they heard multiple gunshots ring out.
Mark Rivera and his girlfriend were at home watching a movie when it happened. They walked to the park to see what happened and that is when he saw one of the victims on the ground bleeding.
“Someone was already there applying pressure,” Rivera said.
Christina Valentine, who also lives right down the road from the park, heard the gunshots and says she told her young granddaughter to get away from the windows.
Valentine says that this park is popular for families to take their kids. Now, she wants nothing to do with it.
“We’re scared now it just kind of streaks a little bit of fear into the heart,” Valentine said.
Another local resident, Romina Verastegui, says her daughter would frequently visit the park with her friends. She says there have been other shooting situations nearby but nothing like this.
“I don’t even feel safe letting my daughter come out and play with her friends and that’s really sad," Verastegui said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Phoenix PD or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to 12News for updates.
>> Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.
Silent Witness:
Arizona's Silent Witness program allows people to send in tips and share information about crimes happening within their local communities.
The program shares unsolved felony case information in multiple ways, including TV, radio and social media.
Anyone who has information on a crime or recognizes a suspect described by the program is asked to call 480-948-6377, go to the program's website online or download the Silent Witness app to provide a tip. The identity of anyone who submits a tip is kept anonymous.
Calls to Silent Witness are answered 24/7 by a live person and submitted tips are accepted at all times. Submitted tips are then sent to the detective(s) in charge of the specific case.
Individuals who submit tips that lead to an arrest or indictment in the case can get a reward of up to $1,000.
More ways to get 12News
On your phone: Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
On your streaming device: Download 12News+ to your streaming device
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.