Isaiah Avila

Isaiah Joseph Ezekiel Avila, an 18-year-old Hispanic male from Flagstaff, Arizona, was a caring and dedicated young man who was excited to become a father. His mother, Nicole Vazquez, described him as a family man who was happy about starting his own. His girlfriend was seven months pregnant with their son at the time his life was taken, and he would never have the chance to meet his child.

On the evening of March 12, 2023, Isaiah was picking up a friend when he was shot. His girlfriend was by his side as he took his last breath. Just after 8:00 p.m., the Flagstaff Police Department received several calls reporting gunshots in the area of Industrial Drive and Fourth Street. Officers responded to a residence at 2701 E. Industrial Drive at 8:11 p.m. and found Isaiah with injuries consistent with a gunshot wound.

Police and emergency medical personnel immediately began life-saving efforts, but Isaiah’s injuries were fatal. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Flagstaff Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division launched a homicide investigation and quickly identified a primary suspect.

Investigators arrested Omar Tafoya Hernandez, who was also 18 years old, in connection with the fatal shooting. He was booked into the Coconino County Detention Facility and charged with second-degree homicide. The case concluded in March 2024 after Hernandez entered into a plea agreement. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison for the shooting death of Isaiah Avila.

In the months following her son's death, Nicole Vazquez spoke out against gun violence. While grieving her own loss, she also expressed sorrow for the suspect’s family. “I believe there’s two kids that lost their lives," she said. "My son lost his life and so did the other boy and destroyed two families.”