Crime & Safety
Man Accused Of 11 Drive-By Shootings Targeting 1 Family: Police
The shootings targeted one extended family and happened over the course of six months, according to Phoenix police.
PHOENIX, AZ — One man is accused of targeting the extended family of a former romantic partner in 11 drive-by shootings in Phoenix over the past six months, according to Phoenix police.
Manuel Sierra, 24, was arrested Wednesday and was booked into Maricopa County Jail on suspicion of 18 felony charges related to the shootings, Phoenix police said in a news release.
As of Thursday afternoon, he was being held on $200,000 bail, according to online jail records.
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The first shooting happened on Dec. 31, 2021, near the intersection of 25th Avenue and Baseline road when a house and two vehicles in a driveway were hit with gunfire, police said. The shootings continued over the next six months, with 11 more houses and several vehicles hit by gunshots. No one was injured in any of the shootings, but the homes were occupied when shots hit at least half of the them, police said.
Over the same six month period, family members also receive threatening text messages related to the shootings, police said.
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Phoenix police attributed the discovery of Sierra as the suspected shooter to the diligent work of the department, using traditional police work alongside advanced technology.
"This investigation was the result of the tenacity and professionalism of the Phoenix Police Department," the department said in the news release. "Each and every employee who took part in this case worked tirelessly to bring justice to these victims and take a violent offender off the street."
The shootings happened on the following dates and at the following locations, according to Phoenix Police:
- Dec. 31, 2021, at 2500 W. Maldonado Road.
- March 12, at 2000 W. Atlanta Ave.
- March 30, at 4800 W. Glenrosa Ave.
- April 5, at 6700 W. Merrell St.
- April 10, at 4800 W. Glenrosa Ave.
- April 10, at 5800 W. Turney Ave.
- April 12, at 4800 N. 61st Drive.
- April 15, at 5600 W. Hazelwood St.
- April 30, at 5600 W. Hazelwood St.
- May 2, at 4800 W. Glenrosa Ave.
- May 11, at 6700 W. Merrell St.
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