In the heat of a Phoenix afternoon on June 26, 2025, a burst of gunfire shattered the quiet of an apartment complex near 67th Avenue and Indian School Road. When police arrived shortly before 3 p.m., they discovered a grim scene. Two men had been shot multiple times. One of them, 36-year-old Mario Martinez, a Hispanic male, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The second victim, 33-year-old Luis Mendez-Armenta, was rushed to a nearby hospital but ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
The initial investigation revealed that the shooter had fled the scene before law enforcement arrived. Detectives quickly began canvassing the area for witnesses and any information that could lead to the assailant. The brazen nature of the daytime shooting prompted a heavy police response and an urgent call to the public for assistance. Authorities emphasized the need for any information, no matter how insignificant it might seem, to help piece together the events that led to the deaths of the two men.
Within days, the Phoenix Police Department identified a person of interest in the double homicide: 34-year-old Emmanuel “Manny” Rojas. Investigators announced that they were looking to interview Rojas regarding his potential involvement in the incident. A public appeal was made for information on his whereabouts, with a warning that he should not be approached.
Despite the identification of a person of interest, the investigation remains ongoing. Police have continued to seek information from the community, offering a reward for any tips that lead to an arrest in the case. As of late 2025, no arrests have been publicly announced in connection with the murders of Mario Martinez and Luis Mendez-Armenta, leaving their families and the community awaiting justice.
