Alan Scott Hoover Jr., a 16-year-old known to friends and family as “AJ,” was a young man with a heart of gold and an infectious smile that could light up any room. Born on May 4, 1998, in Phoenix, Arizona, AJ was a loving son, brother, nephew, and friend whose life was tragically cut short before he could realize his dreams. Growing up with four older sisters—Ashlyn, Megan, Chelsea, and Lauren—helped shape him into a sweetheart who would do anything for anyone without question. His mother, Kathy Hoover, had passed away before him, and he lived with his father, Alan Sr.
AJ spent a significant part of his childhood in Houston, Missouri, after moving there at age five. He attended school from kindergarten through his freshman year in Missouri, forming several lifelong friendships before returning to his birth city of Phoenix in August 2013. A typical boy who loved the outdoors, AJ was incredibly competitive and passionate about all sports, including basketball, baseball, boxing, skateboarding, soccer, and hiking. Though he was highly intelligent, he was not a fan of schoolwork. He had a clear plan for his future: finish high school and enlist in the military, a path he believed would allow him to achieve his dream of traveling the world.
The evening that ended those dreams was Wednesday, January 7, 2015. At approximately 6:26 p.m., a call brought Phoenix Police to a residence in a neighborhood near the 2300 block of East Shaw Butte Drive. Inside the home, officers found AJ with a fatal gunshot wound. Despite immediate medical attention, the teenager died from his injuries. The circumstances of the shooting were not immediately clear, but investigators believe multiple other teenagers were present in the room when the gun was fired.
The Phoenix Police Department’s homicide unit launched an investigation into AJ’s death. Detectives worked to piece together the events that transpired inside the house that evening, urging those who were present to come forward with information. A year after the shooting, his sister Lauren was still desperately searching for answers, a sentiment echoed by the entire family as they grappled with the devastating and sudden loss of a beloved young man. The case proved difficult, and despite their efforts, investigators have been unable to make an arrest.
A memorial service to celebrate AJ's life was held on Saturday, January 17, 2015, at Shadow Mountain Mortuary Chapel in Phoenix, where family and friends gathered to remember the boy whose life was taken far too soon. His father, Alan Scott Hoover Sr., passed away just seven months later, in August 2015, and his obituary noted he was finding peace being reunited with his wife and son. The grief of AJ's death has left an indelible mark on his surviving sisters and loved ones.
As of today, the homicide of Alan "AJ" Hoover Jr. remains unsolved. The Phoenix Police Department continues to ask for the public's help in identifying the person who fired the shot and any other individuals who were there that night. Silent Witness is offering a cash reward of up to $2,000 for information that leads to the arrest or indictment of the suspect or suspects responsible for AJ's death. Anyone with information is urged to contact Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (480-948-6377) or 480-TESTIGO for Spanish speakers. Tips can also be submitted online at silentwitness.org, and all sources can remain completely anonymous.
