In the spring of 2022, a tragic and perplexing event unfolded in a north Phoenix home, leaving a family shattered and a community seeking answers. On the morning of March 27th, 53-year-old Amir Vetry Sr., a U.S. Army veteran, was found with a fatal gunshot wound. His six-year-old son was also discovered in the home, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds but was expected to survive after undergoing surgery.
The incident occurred near 24th Street and Cactus Road, drawing a significant police presence to the normally quiet neighborhood.
Initial reports from the Phoenix Police Department suggested a grim scenario. They indicated that the preliminary investigation pointed towards Vetry dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. According to police, the tragedy unfolded during a custody exchange of the six-year-old boy. A physical altercation reportedly broke out between Vetry and the child's mother outside the residence. Police stated that the mother managed to get away before gunshots were heard coming from inside the house. A woman, identified by family as the boy's mother, was detained and questioned for several hours but was subsequently released as police determined she was not inside the home when the shooting occurred. Authorities have stated that there are no outstanding suspects in the case.
However, Vetry's family has publicly contested the police's initial account of the events. His eldest son, who shares his father's name, revealed a series of distressing text messages he claims to have received from his father in his final moments. These messages reportedly accused the boy's mother of the shooting. The son also shared that his father called him, pleading for help and saying he was dying. This conflicting information has left the family searching for what they believe is justice for Amir.
Amir Vetry Sr. was remembered as a kind-hearted and dedicated father who had served his country in Iraq and Afghanistan. His obituary described him as a man of integrity and compassion who instilled those values in his children. He was a U.S. veteran and held a Master's Degree from the University of Phoenix. The investigation into the shooting remains active as authorities continue to process the evidence and autopsy results.
