EL MIRAGE, Ariz. — Four teens are in police custody after allegedly plotting a robbery that ended with the death of a 15-year-old boy, police said.
El Mirage Police said Joey Hernandez-Silvas, 18, wanted a gun that another 15-year-old boy had recently acquired from a person in Surprise.
According to investigators, Hernandez-Silvas and three other teens orchestrated a plan to lure the boy out of his home to rob him.
“They contacted the victim under the auspice that they wanted to purchase carts, vaping carts, little cartridges that people use when they vape," El Mirage Police Public Information Officer Lt. Tim Mason said.
Their plan worked, according to police. The boy met the teens near the mailboxes at the end of the block.
Court records reveal the teens jumped out of an SUV. One teen said quote, "Stay still, don't move."
The boy tried to run away and that's when police say Marcos Martinez, 16, allegedly shot the boy twice in the back.
"All the sudden we heard two loud pop pops," Chris Cephus, a neighbor, said.
Cephus said the shooting happened in his front yard. He called 911.
His surveillance cameras captured the aftermath of the shooting, including someone running down the street.
“It was terrifying. It was horrible. We just had another shooting in the neighborhood like a month before," Cephus said.
According to El Mirage police, officers were called to a home on North Cesar Chavez Drive on April 29 around 9 p.m. for a reported shooting.
When officers arrived they found a boy face down in the front yard of a home suffering from gunshot wounds. The boy was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead, authorities said.
The teens were arrested on June 26 and booked into jail, facing charges of murder, robbery, aggravated robbery and conspiracy of aggravated robbery.
“We went in with everything we had and I got to tell you I’m pretty proud of the detectives," Mason said. "I think a two-month conclusion involving four defendants is in my opinion is working at a pace that shows the severity of the crime and our diligence to solve it.”
The case was submitted to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and charges have been filed.
A memorial growing at the corner of Cesar Chavez Drive and Soledad Street identifies the victim as Mateo Corona.
"He was a great kid," Cephus said. “They have visitors come over every day and either light the candles up or leave gifts for him.”
A GoFundMe page was created to help his family following this tragic incident. Anyone who wishes to donate can click here.
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