In the early morning hours of August 15, 2022, the life of 15-year-old Elias Longoria was tragically cut short in a shooting in Guadalupe, Arizona. A freshman at Marcos De Niza High School in Tempe, Elias was with friends in the area of Calle Batoua and Calle Biehn when the sound of a single gunshot pierced the night, followed moments later by a rapid succession of 15 to 20 more shots. It was during this barrage of gunfire that Elias was struck in the head.
Emergency crews pronounced him dead at the scene.
The events leading up to the fatal shooting appear to have begun with a dispute at school. Elias’s mother, Blanca Longoria, later recounted that her son had been involved in a fight with another student the week prior. The altercation was reportedly over a comment made about a tattoo Elias had in remembrance of his uncles. The night before the shooting, Elias had expressed concern to a friend, mentioning that he was being followed by someone in a black car.
The investigation into Elias's death led authorities to a 23-year-old man who was later identified as the suspect. During questioning, the man admitted to being in the front yard of a friend's residence when the shooting occurred. He claimed that after hearing gunshots coming from the direction of Elias and his friends, he feared for his life and began firing in their direction, though he stated he could not see anyone. The suspect described the weapon as a bronze and black 9mm handgun. Investigators recovered a gun matching that description at the residence, and a scientific analysis confirmed it was the weapon used in the shooting. The suspect was arrested on September 20 and faced a charge of second-degree murder for recklessly firing a gun and causing a death.
