Isaac Perez Grado

A violent drive-by shooting in Phoenix, Arizona, shattered a late Friday afternoon, ending one young life and forever changing another. On February 3, 2023, Isaac Perez Grado, a 15-year-old Hispanic/Latino male, was a passenger in a vehicle with several other people near the intersection of 1st Avenue and Thomas Road. At approximately 4:40 p.m., another car drove past and an occupant began shooting at the vehicle Isaac was in.

The gunfire erupted through a busy area, creating a chaotic crime scene that spanned nearly four city blocks and damaged multiple businesses. Isaac was struck by multiple bullets and rushed to a local hospital in critical condition. The attack also wounded an innocent bystander, a 10-year-old girl named Kaiya, who was walking with her mother and three younger sisters nearby. A good Samaritan and nurses from a nearby hospital ran to help the child, who was hospitalized with non-life-threatening but serious injuries. A bullet fractured two of her vertebrae and lodged in one, causing nerve damage that could impact the use of her right leg.

After fighting for his life for several days, Isaac Perez Grado died from his injuries on Tuesday, February 7, 2023.

The Phoenix Police Department launched an intensive investigation, with detectives working vigorously to identify those responsible for the shooting. Their efforts quickly led to a breakthrough. On February 8, police announced the arrest of a teenage male suspect, who was taken to a juvenile detention facility. The investigation continued, and on February 27, authorities announced a second teenage male had been arrested. Police confirmed that they had identified and taken all suspects connected to the homicide into custody.

Both juvenile suspects were booked into the Juvenile Correction Center on multiple charges, including murder. Their identities have not been released due to their age. As of the last update in February 2023, the legal proceedings against the two suspects were pending. The case is considered closed by arrest and is now in the hands of the judicial system. Anyone with information is asked to contact Phoenix Police or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.