Suspect in Phoenix serial killings arrested
PHOENIX — A man was arrested Monday in a string of serial killings that terrified a Phoenix neighborhood last year, a huge break in a case that involved nine deaths and a dozen separate shootings.
Aaron Juan Saucedo, 23, faces 26 felony counts of homicide, aggravated assault and driveby-shooting, said Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams.
Most of the killings took place in a predominantly Latino neighborhood between August 2015 and July 2016.
The investigation into the serial killings had focused on what authorities said were seven fatal shootings. But police said Monday they had tied Saucedo to nine killings in all — eight random victims and one man that he knew.
The shooter stalked victims after dark, police have said, selecting people who were either outside their homes or sitting in cars before opening fire with a handgun.
The Phoenix police chief and mayor appeared alongside top officials to announce the break in a case that had appeared largely stalled as leads and tips dried up.
“This case plagued our community for more than a year … and left behind a trail of victims that included mothers, sons, brothers, sisters and families still mourning the loss of their loved ones,” William said.
Saucedo was arrested last month in connection with the August 2015 fatal shooting of a man who had a relationship with his mother.