In the winter of 2022, a senseless act of violence cut short the life of 18-year-old Vicente Ladua. On the evening of February 11th, a place of joy and camaraderie, the Paradise Valley Skate Park in Phoenix, Arizona, became a scene of tragedy. Ladua, a young man known for his love of fast cars and spending time with friends and family at the park near his home, was fatally shot.
The gunshots rang out near 40th Street and Bell Road, tragically close to his own house.
Witnesses at the scene described a male suspect shooting Ladua multiple times before fleeing the area, leaving chaos and heartbreak in his wake. The first to reach the gravely injured teen was his own younger brother, who held him in his arms until help arrived. His mother, who heard the gunshots from their home, rushed to the devastating scene. Despite the immediate response, Vicente Ladua succumbed to his injuries.
The days that followed were filled with grief for his family, who remembered him as a happy and goofy kid who left a lasting impression on everyone he met. A memorial adorned with flowers, candles, and notes grew at the skate park fence, a testament to the young life that had been stolen. The community and his loved ones were left reeling, desperate for answers and justice for a life with so much promise that had been violently extinguished.
Their pleas for justice were soon answered. On Thursday, February 17, 2022, Phoenix Police arrested 21-year-old Mykal Drew in connection with the fatal shooting. Drew was subsequently booked into jail and faced several charges, including the grave allegation of first-degree murder. The arrest brought a measure of relief to a grieving family and community, marking a significant step towards accountability for the tragic and untimely death of Vicente Ladua.
