On March 15, 1992, Tekleberhan Manna, a 24-year-old male Ethiopian immigrant, was working as a clerk at the Super Stop Market in Phoenix, Arizona, a job situated near his apartment. His life was abruptly and senselessly ended when a man entered the store and fatally shot him. The single gunshot was to his right eye at close range, causing instantaneous death.
In a puzzling turn of events for investigators, it became clear that robbery was not the motive behind this violent act, as no money or merchandise was taken from the market.
The investigation into the shooting revealed a wider, more chaotic string of violence that had plagued the community that same day. The perpetrator was identified as Pete Rogovich. Earlier on that tragic day, Rogovich had a dispute with his girlfriend and had menacingly told a maintenance worker at his apartment complex that he was going to 'get even with her.' Leaving his apartment armed with a gun, he began a homicidal rampage, firing his weapon randomly as he moved into a neighboring trailer park.
Before his arrest, Rogovich's violent spree resulted in the deaths of three other innocent people. He first shot and killed 62-year-old Phyllis Mancuso in a laundry room. He then continued his deadly path, shooting and killing 48-year-old Rebecca Carreon in her driveway and 83-year-old Marie Pendergast. The community was left in shock and mourning as the scale of the day's violence became clear.
Pete Rogovich was eventually apprehended by law enforcement. Following his arrest, he was tried for the multiple murders he committed on that day. The justice system found him guilty of the murders of Tekleberhan Manna, Phyllis Mancuso, Rebecca Carreon, and Marie Pendergast. As a result of his conviction for the horrific and random acts of violence that cut short four lives, Rogovich was sentenced to death.
