Police: Metro Phoenix retail complex shooter felt ‘bullied’
GLENDALE, Ariz. — A gunman who opened fire at a suburban Phoenix restaurant and retail complex, injuring three people, wanted to target shoppers in retaliation for bullying he had suffered, authorities said Thursday.
“He said that he went to Westgate to target victims. He wanted to gain some respect, and he felt that he had been bullied in his life,” Glendale Police Sgt. Randy Stewart said at a news conference.
Armando Hernandez Jr., 20, also later admitted to detectives that he intended to harm 10 people.
“I don’t know why the suspect decided 10 people,” Stewart said.
The shooting happened about 7:25 p.m. Wednesday in Glendale’s Westgate Entertainment District, which reopened last week after shutting down more than a month ago because of the coronavirus pandemic. Officers were on the scene within five minutes of the first 911 calls, authorities said. Hernandez was taken into custody without incident upon being confronted by police.
Authorities say Hernandez wounded a 19-year-old adult man, who remains hospitalized in critical condition. A 16-old-girl was also taken to a hospital, but with non-life-threatening injuries. A third victim, a 30-year-old woman, did not require hospitalization, Stewart said.
Hernandez, who lives in the neighboring suburb of Peoria, is facing more than a dozen felony charges. It was not immediately known if he had a lawyer who could speak on his behalf.
State Sen. Martin Quezada was at the complex during the shooting and wrote on Twitter that he witnessed a person “with an AR-15 shoot up Westgate.”
In a statement Thursday, the Democratic lawmaker said he was “beyond horrified what I saw with my own eyes.” He then called for more gun control.
“Civilians should not have access to these types of weapons and be able to walk into a mall to destroy people’s lives in a matter of seconds,” Quezada said.
Police would only confirm a black assault rifle was recovered, and the suspect had loaded three magazines to capacity. Investigators have also searched his car and his home.
Authorities also confirmed the authenticity of a Snapchat video in which the suspect appears to be discussing his plans and showing a rifle in the back seat of his car. Investigators are asking for anyone with firsthand knowledge of more videos to contact police.