Two Teens Stand Accused Of Phoenix Double Homicide, Armed Robbery

PHOENIX, AZ — 16-year-old Antonio Palafox-Zermeno and 15-year-old Castulo Cervantes were arrested and booked into the Maricopa County Jail, accused of double homicide and armed robbery for an incident in Phoenix last October.

On Oct. 5, 2018 around 3:30 a.m., 41-year-old David Bessent and 24-year-old Zachary Walter were shot and killed in an armed robbery as they walked from work near 300 W. Roosevelt St. The suspects drove away in a white Dodge Durango, and investigators’ work on the case led them to probable cause on the part of Cervantes (who was 14 years old last October) and Palafox-Zermeno (who was 15 years old last October).

The two suspects were taken to the Maricopa County Jail, where they were charged as adults, each booked on two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted armed robbery and two counts of aggravated robbery.

The investigation isn’t over, however. Police believe at least two more unidentified suspects participated in this incident. They are requesting anyone with relevant information to call the Phoenix Police Department Violent Crimes Bureau at (602) 262-6141. Or to provide information anonymously, call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS or 480-TESTIGO for Spanish language.