A late-night party in Rimrock, Arizona, turned deadly on Saturday, October 15, 2022, resulting in the shooting death of 27-year-old Rafael Zapata of Camp Verde. The incident occurred at a gathering on Top O the Morning road, where an argument escalated into a violent confrontation.
According to eyewitnesses, an altercation involving Zapata led to him being asked to leave the party.
As Zapata and his companions were attempting to depart, the situation intensified when partygoers surrounded his vehicle and broke one of the windows. In response, Zapata reportedly fired a gun into the crowd, fatally striking Efrain Arreola, 27, of Rimrock.
Immediately following the shooting of Efrain Arreola, his 22-year-old brother, Edgar Arreola, drew his own 9mm pistol and opened fire on Zapata. Edgar Arreola shot Zapata multiple times. After Zapata was incapacitated, Edgar Arreola allegedly moved to the other side of the vehicle and fired again. Both Rafael Zapata and Efrain Arreola died from their injuries at the scene. Edgar Arreola sustained a gunshot wound to his arm during the exchange.
Yavapai County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to multiple calls about the shooting around 11 p.m. Following an investigation and interviews with multiple witnesses, Edgar Arreola was arrested the next morning, on October 16, 2022. He admitted to shooting Zapata. Edgar Arreola was booked into the Camp Verde Detention Center and charged with first-degree murder for the death of Rafael Zapata.
