In the early morning hours of April 2, 2024, the quiet of a Peoria, Arizona neighborhood was shattered by a grim discovery. A 33-year-old Hispanic male, Jordan Gonzales, was found lying in the road near 83rd Avenue and Jefferson Street. A passerby had initially called for medical assistance, believing the man on the ground was suffering from a seizure. However, upon their arrival at approximately 3:30 a.m., first responders quickly determined that Gonzales had been shot.
Despite their efforts to render aid, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into the death of Jordan Gonzales, a resident of Phoenix, began immediately. Peoria police cordoned off the area for several hours as they worked to piece together the events that led to the fatal shooting. Authorities initially stated that they believed the incident was isolated and that the individuals involved may have known each other, assuring the public that there was no broader threat to the community. For a time, the identity of the person responsible for Gonzales's death remained a mystery, leaving a sense of unease and unanswered questions.
The break in the case came on April 16, 2024, when the Peoria Police Department announced the arrest of a suspect. Michael Villareal Jr., a 37-year-old man from the neighboring city of Glendale, was taken into custody at his home without incident. Following an interview with detectives, Villareal was booked into the Maricopa County Jail. He faces serious charges, including first-degree murder and aggravated assault, in connection with the death of Jordan Gonzales, bringing a measure of resolution to a case that had begun with a tragic discovery on a darkened street.
