MESA, Ariz. — A 14-year-old boy was shot and killed in Mesa overnight, the city's police department said. Officers reportedly don't have any details about possible suspects.
Officers found the teen, identified as Joshua Ybarra, with a gunshot wound near the Tides on Gilbert East apartment complex near the intersection of University Drive and Gilbert Road Tuesday evening, the department said. The teen was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators found numerous places where shots were fired at the scene.
Veronica, a nearby resident, described the scary situation to 12News. She said as an aunt, she’s feeling the impact of the deadly incident and just how sad the situation is.
“I had to jump back into my house because I heard gunshots, an exchange of gunfire. It‘s horrible and it's sad because it reminds me of my nephew, unfortunately, it took a 14-year-old boy,” she explained.
According to 2021 data from the Arizona Department of Health Services, firearms are the leading cause of death among teens about Ybarra’s age. Detectives say, they’ve interviewed several witnesses, hoping for details on a possible suspect, as they are still looking for the shooter.
Meanwhile, a memorial is growing for the teenager who was taken to the hospital but died of his injuries.
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call the police department at 480-644-2211.
This is a developing story. Tune in to 12News for the latest information.
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