In the fading light of a Phoenix evening on December 17, 2023, a violent encounter left 16-year-old male, Mario Banegas, with fatal injuries. The incident unfolded near 4th Street and Pecan Road, where police responded to a call of a shooting just before 7:30 p.m. Upon arrival, officers discovered two individuals who had been shot. One, 24-year-old Jovanni Burciaga, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Mario Banegas was rushed to a nearby hospital, but he ultimately succumbed to his wounds.
As the investigation progressed, a complex story of a home invasion gone wrong began to emerge. Detectives determined that Mario Banegas and Jovanni Burciaga were not random victims, but were allegedly attempting to rob a homeowner at gunpoint. Fearing for his safety and that of his family, the homeowner shot both individuals. While police were investigating the scene, they learned that a third man, who had also been shot, had arrived at a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The third man was identified as 41-year-old Tommy R. Banegas, Mario's cousin. Investigators believe he was the third accomplice in the planned home invasion and had managed to flee the area after his accomplices were shot. The investigation uncovered evidence linking Tommy Banegas to the crime, including his Jeep Liberty found at the scene and a tan rifle discovered near Mario's body. Furthermore, detectives found Facebook messages between Tommy and his cousin discussing a 'hit' just hours before the deadly confrontation.
Following an extensive investigation, Phoenix police arrested Tommy Banegas for his role in the robbery and the resulting deaths of his two accomplices. He was taken into custody in early January 2024 and booked into the Maricopa County Jail. Tommy Banegas now faces serious charges, including first-degree murder and armed robbery, for his alleged involvement in the planned home invasion that tragically ended the life of his young cousin.
