Three 18-year-olds were taken into custody on Saturday in Avondale in connection with the killing of a Yuma man last month.
Julius Avery Johnson, Antwan De’shawn Yancey, and Moises Murillo were charged with first-degree murder in the killing of Valentin Morales, who was 18 years old.
The shooting occurred on April 26, just before 8 p.m., when Yuma police received reports of shots fired near 15th Avenue and Fifth Street.
According to police, the suspects were in a white 4-door vehicle and fired many bullets before leaving. Neighbors said the situation swiftly escalated.
“I heard two rounds go off and about ten minutes later, the cops showed up,” a resident stated.
Morales was hit by one round outside a residence. According to authorities, officers arrived to find the young man lifeless.
“When officers arrived on scene, they discovered an unresponsive male. “They began life-saving measures right there,” Yuma Police Sgt. Lori Franklin stated.
Morales was taken to a neighboring hospital, but died later that night.
According to authorities, the three suspects were first identified by Tempe officers during a burglary investigation two days prior.
When investigators discovered they were wanted in the Yuma killing, Tempe and Glendale police collaborated with Yuma authorities to locate them. All three were apprehended following a home search in Avondale.
Johnson, Yancey, and Murillo were booked into Maricopa County Jail. Johnson and Yancey were arrested on a burglary charge, and Yancey is also facing a charge of misbehavior with weapons in the Tempe incident.
Charges in the Yuma case are pending.
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