A Phoenix man, Zachery Shropshire, has been sentenced to 45 years in prison for killing a construction worker and shooting at other crew members and residents at a Phoenix apartment building.
According to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, on March 10, 2022, workers were doing remodeling work and cleaning up for lunch when Shropshire stepped out his apartment’s door armed with a high-powered rifle and a .45 Glock handgun and began shooting. He struck Alvaro Quezada in the leg, rendering him immobile and unable to escape. Shropshire then fired numerous rounds into Alvaro, killing him.
Seven others were either living or working near the courtyard when Shropshire began shooting with the rifle and a 45-caliber handgun. One victim was injured by shrapnel, and another was shot at while trying to save Alvaro. Shropshire fired approximately 24 rounds before getting in his car and fleeing.
While trying to get away, Shropshire crashed his car into a parked car about a mile away and ran off. Phoenix Police quickly found him in an alley nearby and arrested him.
In October, a jury found Shropshire guilty of the following charges:
• one count of Second-Degree Murder, a Class One Dangerous Felony
• seven counts of Aggravated Assault, a Class Three Dangerous Felony
• two counts of Disorderly Conduct, a Class Six Dangerous Felony
• one count of Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Damage to an Unattended Vehicle, a Class One Misdemeanor.
“This was a senseless attack on innocent people who were simply trying to do their jobs,” said Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. “Nothing can erase the trauma these victims endured, or the loss felt by Alvaro’s family, but we can ensure the defendant is held accountable for the fear and heartache he caused.”
A man steps out of his apartment with a rifle and a handgun and starts shooting at construction workers. He hits one of them in the leg then advances and continues to shoot him till he is dead. These acts clearly demonstrate intent as well as premeditation. That looks like First-Degree murder to me. But he was only charged with Second-Degree murder. I’m guessing there was some issue with the State’s case against the defendant.
When reporting on gun-related incidents, journalists should adopt a consistent standard of describing the firearms, and to avoid phrases that only add to the public’s anxiety and ignorance. For example, if the handgun is a Glock .45, what was the manufacturer and caliber of the rifle? If the rifle was “high powered,” what was the power level of the handgun? A better-informed public begins with better-informed journalists. Thank you for the otherwise very informative reporting.