A prearranged meeting that began as a social-media transaction turned deadly in West Phoenix late the night of August 20, 2021. Near 43rd Avenue and Bethany Home Road, two groups met and an exchange escalated into a shootout in which more than 20 rounds were fired. Three young men were killed: 19-year-old Victor Manuel Cruz, 19-year-old Avery Young, and 16-year-old Salvador Gomez Medina. A fourth teenager was seriously wounded and expected to survive.

Responding officers transported several people to a hospital; two of the victims were declared dead at the scene and a third died after being taken to hospital. Police detained an uninjured adult male at the scene as the suspected shooter and said they believed everyone involved had been accounted for. The suspect’s name and the precise nature of the transaction have not been released.

If anyone knew Victor Cruz or was in that area that night, please share what might help clarify who was present and what led to the meeting.