The Phoenix Police Department on Thursday announced the arrest of Manuel Sierra in connection with 11 related drive by shootings.
According to the Department, these shootings targeted multiple members of one extended family, and occurred over the span of the last 6 months in south and west Phoenix.
The first incident occurred on December 31st in the area 25th Avenue and Baseline when someone opened fire striking a home and two vehicles in the driveway. Over the next six months, the shootings continued with 11 additional homes and multiple vehicles struck by gunfire. During at least half of these shootings, the homes were occupied at the time. No one was injured.
During these six months, the families targeted also received threatening text messages tied to the shootings.
As detectives worked through each investigation, they utilized traditional police work as well as advanced technology methods to connect the shootings and identify the suspect. The Violent Crime Bureau Assaults Unit detectives assigned to this case worked meticulously, hand in hand with the Phoenix Police Crime Lab, Crime Gun Intelligence Unit, Crime Impact Unit, Digital Forensic Investigations Unit, Special Assignments Unit, and Patrol Bureau.
Each scene was examined carefully, and evidence was collected and processed. Investigators utilized advanced ballistic evidence techniques, interviewed witnesses, spent hours analyzing significant digital evidence, conducted hours of surveillance and numerous other investigative techniques throughout the past six months. The ballistic and digital evidence was crucial in linking these cases.
During the course of this investigation, the 24-year-old Sierra was identified as the suspect in these incidents, and probable cause was developed to arrest him for his role in all 11 shootings. It was determined Sierra was a past romantic partner to someone related to the victims. Sierra was arrested on May 11, 2022, in the area of 238th Avenue and Twilight Trail in Buckeye, and booked into the Maricopa County Jail on 18 felony charges.
INCIDENTS:
December 31, 2021, 2500 West Maldonado Road, IR 21-2035698
March 12, 2022, 2000 West Atlanta Avenue, IR 22-384872
March 30, 2022, 4800 West Glenrosa Avenue, IR 22-472714
April 5, 2022, 6700 West Merrell Street, IR 22-516323
April 10, 2022, 4800 West Glenrosa Avenue, IR 22-541933
April 10, 2022, 5800 West Turney Avenue, IR 22-543923
April 12, 2022, 4800 North 61st Drive, IR 22-555031
April 15, 2022, 5600 West Hazelwood Street, IR 22-566630
April 30, 2022, 5600 West Hazelwood Street, IR 22-648495
May 2, 2022, 4800 West Glenrosa Avenue, IR 22-664703
May 11, 2022, 6700 West Merrell Street, IR 22-709299