TL/DR –
Phoenix police are investigating a shooting that resulted from an argument, leaving one man, 39-year-old Prince Lackey, dead and another man, 29-year-old Pedro Vazquez, in custody. Security video footage verified accounts of Vazquez arguing with Lackey and pulling a weapon from his waistband; Lackey was subsequently shot and Vazquez was seen on camera walking away with a handgun. Vazquez claimed he shot Lackey in self-defense, fearing Lackey had firearms in his apartment, but police found no weapons other than an airsoft rifle on Lackey’s bed; the investigation is ongoing.
Phoenix Police Investigating Monday Shooting
Phoenix police are investigating a Monday shooting resulting from a dispute. The incident left one man dead and another under arrest.
Pedro Vazquez, 29, was arrested hours after the shooting, according to Wednesday police reports. A 43-year-old woman present during the incident had not been located by police, as per Vazquez’s arrest records.
Shooting Location and Victim’s Condition
Police responded to an emergency call about a shooting around 11:45 a.m. at an apartment near Mountain View Road and 18th Avenue, according to court documents. Arriving officers found a man suffering from a gunshot wound. Phoenix Fire pronounced the victim, 39-year-old Prince Lackey, dead at the scene.
Officers learned from local witnesses that three individuals had fled the scene. One of these individuals was quickly located and detained. He informed the officers that Vazquez and the woman, both residents of the apartment with Lackey, were responsible for the shooting.
Witness Accounts and Surveillance Footage
A witness reported seeing the detained individual disposing of a backpack in a dumpster with a gun magazine in hand. Another witness reported seeing this individual flee the scene post-shooting. The detainee’s involvement in the shooting remains unclear.
A local resident familiar with the apartment’s residents reported observing Vazquez and the woman arguing with Lackey about money and drugs. She heard three gunshots shortly after and saw Vazquez and the woman flee into her yard.
Security footage obtained by police corroborated the neighbor’s account. Police noted that Vazquez was visible in the footage, and an argument between him and Lackey could be heard. Lackey can be heard telling Vazquez not to touch him or call the police. The footage showed Vazquez drawing an object from his waistband and walking away holding a handgun.
Investigation and Arrest
Officers familiar with the apartment identified Vazquez and the woman as residents. They located Vazquez at his father’s house in Phoenix and detained him around 2 p.m. on Wednesday.
During a custodial interview, Vazquez claimed that he shot Lackey in self-defense during an argument outside the apartment, aiming for his leg. He said he then fled the scene in fear and couldn’t provide details about the incident or the woman’s whereabouts.
No weapons, except an airsoft rifle, were found at the scene. Two cartridges were found beneath junk items. The investigation is ongoing, and Phoenix police have not provided further details or confirmed if they identified additional suspects.
Read about similar cases: Vaughn Wilson sentenced to 35 years in prison for 2021 murder of wife.
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