Eighteen-year-old Alexander Cota-Torres was killed in Phoenix on May 27, 2019, after being struck by a bullet while riding in a pickup truck with friends. Authorities say the shooting occurred when 17-year-old Abran Herrera was handling a handgun inside the vehicle and the weapon discharged, fatally wounding Cota-Torres.

Instead of seeking immediate medical help, the group drove to the home of friend 18-year-old Jorge Quintero, where the handgun involved and a second firearm belonging to Tomas Herrera were left in Quintero’s bedroom. Cota-Torres was then taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Phoenix police later detained and arrested the three companions. Abran Herrera was charged as an adult with one count of manslaughter and initially told police the gun went off accidentally before later admitting he pulled the trigger believing the weapon was unloaded. Tomas Herrera and Jorge Quintero were charged with tampering with physical evidence for hiding the firearms.

Are there witnesses who saw the pickup truck or the group that evening who can shed more light on what happened?