In what should have been a peaceful evening in a west Phoenix home on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, a tragic outburst of violence shattered a family. Delia Noriega, a 66-year-old woman, was fatally shot and pronounced dead at the scene. The incident unfolded when her 26-year-old grandson, Gilbert Gonzalez, opened fire on his relatives.
The devastating event also claimed the lives of Noriega's husband, 62-year-old Isaias Tovar Sr., who was also found deceased at the home, and their 31-year-old
son, Isaias Tovar Jr., who succumbed to his injuries after being rushed to a hospital. A 19-year-old male family member was also wounded in the shooting but survived his injuries.
According to police, evidence suggests that Gonzalez had been drinking and making suicidal statements leading up to the horrific event. At some point during the rampage, another family member inside the home managed to return fire, fatally striking Gonzalez. When authorities arrived, they found five individuals with gunshot wounds. Gonzalez was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. Investigators determined that there was no ongoing threat to the community following the incident.
