State Glance
Phoenix police seek help solving man’s fatal shooting
PHOENIX — Phoenix police say a young man’s parents found he had been shot when they returned home and investigators found “strong evidence” there was drug activity at the home.
Police say in a statement that 23-year-old Raymond Flores was badly wounded when his parents found him Friday afternoon and he later died at a local hospital. They say they have no suspect information but that the investigation is ongoing. The shooting happened at a home near Indian School Road and 15th Avenue.
Anyone with information is urged to call Silent Witness at (480) W-I-T-N-E-S-S.
Man speeding in Tucson killed in fiery wreck
TUCSON — Tucson police say a driver who had been speeding was killed when he collided with another car and his Chevy Camaro flipped over and caught fire.
Tucson police on Saturday identified the driver who died as 22-year-old Austin Ortiz. The woman driving the other car was critically hurt after being ejected and remains hospitalized. She wasn’t identified.
Witnesses told investigating officers that Ortiz had been driving north along a southeast Tucson road at a high rate of speed and weaving in and out of traffic Friday evening. His Camaro hit the front of a southbound sedan that planned a left turn, flipped over and burst into flames.
He was trapped in the overturned car and died at the scene. The woman driving the other car wasn’t wearing a seat belt.
2 teen brothers killed by car in north Phoenix identified
PHOENIX — Phoenix police have identified the teenage brothers who died after being struck by a car in north Phoenix.
Police spokeswoman Sgt. Mercedes Fortune said Saturday that 15-year-old Roger Gamez-Rodriguez and 17-year-old Iran Gamez were killed in the accident.
Fortune said witnesses reported the teens were fighting in the roadway at about 7:30 p.m. Friday when they were struck. Fortune said the driver of the car remained at the scene.
She says impairment does not appear to be a factor in the crash, which happened near the intersection of Tatum and Shea boulevards.
New leader appointed to commission that investigates judges
PHOENIX — A former Arizona appeals court judge has been appointed as the executive director of a commission that investigates complaints against judges.
Margaret Downie is the new leader of the Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct. She previously served 20 years as a judge in Arizona. Before serving as a judge on the Arizona Court of Appeals, Downie worked as a Maricopa County Superior Court judge. Downie also worked previously in the State Bar of Arizona’s discipline department.
She replaces George Riemer, who retired as the commission’s leader on Tuesday.