In September 2025, the body of 48-year-old Efrin Victor Evangelista was discovered near a canal in Phoenix, Arizona. The grim discovery was made in the vicinity of 36th and Portland Streets on September 22nd by officers who were directed to the scene by witnesses. Upon arrival, authorities found Evangelista in the early stages of decomposition with evident signs of trauma.
The area was immediately secured by law enforcement, and an investigation into what was being treated as a homicide was launched.
The investigation progressed quickly when a witness came forward to report a suspicious person they had seen on September 19th. The witness recounted hearing five to six gunshots in the alleyway near their home, which was close to the canal. Shortly after, they observed a man, later identified as 23-year-old Bryan Flores Barrientos, acting erratically and mumbling about having shot someone. The witness stated that Barrientos claimed, 'I just killed a Black guy,' and was seen with a black firearm. After the encounter, the witness saw Barrientos leave the area, head to a liquor store, and then a bus stop.
Based on the witness's description and surveillance footage from the area, police were able to identify and locate Barrientos. He was taken into custody without incident on September 23rd. During his interview with detectives, Barrientos confessed to the killing. He stated that he had been drinking and went to a dirt area near the canal to practice target shooting. He then saw Evangelista sleeping nearby. Barrientos told investigators he was experiencing family problems, took a deep breath, and shot Evangelista approximately eight times in an unprovoked attack. He admitted to initially planning to steal items from Evangelista's backpack but ultimately decided against it. After the shooting, Barrientos went to a fast-food restaurant before going to his mother's apartment, where he hid the handgun used in the murder. Bryan Flores Barrientos is now facing a charge of second-degree murder for the death of Efrin Victor Evangelista.
