In the early hours of a Sunday morning in June, a life was tragically cut short in Peoria, Arizona. Antonio Vaughn, a 24-year-old male, was shot outside of Coop's Bar & Grill near 83rd and Peoria avenues on June 14, 2020. Police responded to a call around 2:20 a.m. about a man pointing a gun at people. While on the phone with dispatch, the caller reported that the man had fired the weapon and fled the scene in a black SUV.
Upon arrival, officers discovered Antonio Vaughn with a gunshot
wound. They administered medical aid until paramedics from the Peoria Fire-Medical Department arrived and transported him to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. He succumbed to his injuries the following day, on June 15. Those who knew him described Antonio as a ray of sunshine with a beautiful spirit and a loving heart.
Responding officers located the suspect's black SUV heading westbound on Peoria Avenue and attempted a traffic stop. The driver, identified as 28-year-old Frank Alvin Vaquera Jr. of Phoenix, refused to stop, leading to a brief pursuit. The chase ended when the SUV crashed behind a business near 91st and Peoria avenues, and Vaquera was arrested without further incident.
During questioning, Vaquera reportedly claimed he could not remember shooting anyone and became emotional, stating he would have remembered if he had done so. He also disclosed that he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and was taking medication for these conditions. Vaquera was subsequently jailed on a $500,000 bond and faced charges of murder, aggravated assault, unlawful flight from law enforcement, and weapons violations. Authorities have indicated that the incident appeared to be an isolated event between the two men and that they were not seeking any other suspects. In the wake of the tragedy, the community came together to support Antonio's family, holding a candlelight vigil and a car wash fundraiser.
