SURPRISE, Ariz. — Police have identified the suspect who they believe shot and killed two people and injured several others in a shooting at a home in Surprise last week.
Surprise police said officers were called out to the scene near 144th Avenue and Carline Drive late Sunday, July 3.
Police said several people were taken to hospitals for treatment and three people died, including the suspect. Four others were hospitalized.
Surprise police have identified the three deceased victims as Carl Dinora, a 38-year-old male, Conrradito Ochoa Navarro, a 41-year-old male and the shooting suspect, 46-year-old Jason Hunt.
On July 11, Surprise police said through their investigation, detectives learned Hunt, a resident of the neighborhood, came to the victim’s residence while the victims and guests were gathered outside in front of the home.
Police said Hunt Jason engaged in small talk while the partygoers and then went inside to eat. Police said Hunt was given a plate of food and sat down inside the home. Detectives said a few moments later, Hunt reportedly stood up from where he was seated, pulled out a handgun, and began shooting at the people inside.
Police said Hunt was shot and killed by one of the injured parties involved.
Detectives have determined the individual who shot Jason, and others who fought against Hunt were acting in self-defense and defense of other innocent parties.
A witness, who asked to remain anonymous, tells 12 News that he saw Hunt as a neighbor and was "going to welcome him."
"Next thing I know, I turn around and he's pointing a gun at someone's back and started shooting." I could hear the gunshots. I could hear them over and over again," the witness said.
A family friend was feet away from Hunt when he started shooting, working his way from man to man.
“He knew what he was coming for, he knew what he was ready to do. He was here to kill us all," the friend said.
Scott Foley, a neighbor who came outside after the shooting saw the aftermath.
“They were people outside screaming, yelling, hugging each other,” Foley said.
Between the violence in Foley’s own neighborhood, and the mass shooting at a parade in Highland Park, Illinois, Foley wonders when the violence will end.
“It’s happening too much. It’s happening everywhere it’s like you can’t go anywhere anymore,” Foley said. “And people sometimes are scared to go out of their house, scared to go do this, do that, and I don’t blame them, I don’t blame them at all.”
Police said Hunt's motive remains unknown. Two days before the shooting, Hunt posted to his Instagram page, "Getting ready to celebrate our independence day, who's with me?"
If you would like to help the families involved, please visit their GoFundMe pages.
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