On a tragic Saturday afternoon in Avondale, Arizona, the life of 34-year-old Gabriel Sotelo was cut short in a seemingly random act of violence. On November 19, 2022, a shooting spree unfolded along Avondale Boulevard and the I-10 highway, resulting in chaos and the untimely death of the beloved local barber. Sotelo was operating his vehicle when he was fatally shot.
The incident also resulted in injury to a 14-year-old boy who was a passenger in the same vehicle.
The violent outburst involved a man shooting at several cars, which led to multiple vehicle crashes and a significant police presence in the area. The man identified by authorities as the shooter is 29-year-old Raymond E. Pipkin. Following the rampage, Pipkin was apprehended and taken into custody by the police. According to reports, he made several spontaneous statements to the authorities after being detained. Pipkin is now facing several charges, including first-degree murder for the death of Gabriel Sotelo.
Gabriel Sotelo was a well-known and respected member of his community, known to many as “Young AZ Barber.” He owned a barbershop in Glendale and was remembered as a loving husband and father. At the time of his death, he and his wife had four children, and she was pregnant with their fifth. His death sent shockwaves through the community, with many gathering to leave candles and flowers outside his barbershop in the days following the incident. His family remembers him as the backbone of their family, a man who was devoted to his wife and excited about watching his children grow up.
