In a sudden and violent act that shattered the hopeful future of a young man, 19-year-old Xavier Henriquez was shot and killed in broad daylight on Monday, February 15, 2021, in a west Phoenix neighborhood. The incident occurred near the Interstate 10 and 67th Avenue, where police responded to a shooting call in the afternoon. Upon arrival, officers found Henriquez severely wounded.
He was rushed to a local hospital in extremely critical condition but ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into the shooting took a swift turn as police began questioning neighbors. Initially, 71-year-old Manuel De La Cruz-Rodriguez, who lived next door, told investigators that he witnessed two people on bicycles ride up to Henriquez, heard gunshots, and then saw the cyclists flee the scene. However, as detectives delved deeper into the case, they uncovered evidence that contradicted his statement and instead pointed to De La Cruz-Rodriguez as the perpetrator.
Based on the evidence they had gathered, police arrested Manuel De La Cruz-Rodriguez. He was subsequently booked into the Maricopa County Jail and faced a charge of second-degree murder. At the time of his arrest, a motive for the shooting had not been determined, leaving a grieving family and community searching for answers. The investigation by the Phoenix police remained ongoing.
Xavier was remembered by his loved ones as a calm, outgoing, and good-hearted young man who would not start a fight. His family, including his soon-to-be mother-in-law, expressed their profound grief and devastation over his senseless death. They described him as a beloved boyfriend and the father of his partner's child, with whom he was planning a future that included getting an apartment and a car. His sudden passing left his family heartbroken and grappling with the tragic loss of a life cut short.
