On the evening of April 26, 2026, in Yuma, Arizona, 18-year-old Valentin Morales was fatally shot in the 500 block of South 15th Avenue. Police responded to a "shots fired" call at approximately 7:48 p.m. and discovered Morales on the ground, unresponsive. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Morales, who had just turned 18 the previous month, was remembered by his family as a lovable person with many plans for his future who always brought a smile to those
around him.
Witnesses reported seeing a white, four-door sedan pull up to the area, from which multiple shots were fired before the vehicle fled southbound. It was one of these rounds that struck Morales. Early accounts from witnesses suggested there were at least three male subjects inside the vehicle. The Yuma Police Department immediately launched a homicide investigation into the shooting.
Following a series of leads, the investigation led law enforcement over 150 miles northwest to Avondale. On May 2, 2026, with the assistance of Tempe, Glendale, and Avondale police, three 18-year-old suspects were arrested in connection with the fatal shooting. The individuals taken into custody were identified as Julius Avery Johnson, Antwan De'Shawn Yancey, and Moises Murillo, all from Yuma. The three are now facing multiple felony counts, including first-degree murder. While the arrests have been made, the investigation remains active as detectives continue to gather evidence to piece together the events of that evening.
