One Dead After Buckeye Private Fundraiser Confrontation

One man is dead after a shooting at a private fundraiser being held at a residence in western Buckeye, Arizona on May 18, 2019.

According to Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, at approximately 7:53 pm, they received a call in reference to a possible shooting. When deputies arrived, they found two injured males with gunshot wounds, one of which was deceased.

Homicide Detectives spoke with multiple witnesses who all stated that 40-year old Jose Vera started a verbal confrontation with another male at the private gathering and things escalated. As the confrontation grew more heated, Jose pointed a pistol at the other male subject and that is when 40-year-old Telesforo Rios attempted to stop Jose from his actions. During this interjection, Jose ended up shooting Telesforo, leading to a non-fatal injury. Telesforo and Jose wrestled for control of the firearm and in the process Jose was shot and died from his injuries.

Telesforo was transported to a nearby hospital where he was treated and released to the custody of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. After being interviewed by Homicide Detectives he was processed and released.