Court documents detail what led to the Arizona Mills mall shooting; 3 arrested

TEMPE, AZ (AZFamily) — Three people, including a teenager, were arrested more than a month after the shooting broke out at the center food court at Arizona Mills Mall.

Tempe police say the 16-year-old suspect faces aggravated assault, aggravated assault, criminal endangerment, disorderly conduct and unlawful discharge of a firearm in connection with the shooting.

Additionally, 19-year-old Gabriel Victor Garcia was arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault, disorderly conduct, endangerment and illegal discharge.

Police also said 22-year-old Marvin Hooks was arrested on conspiracy charges in connection with the alleged crime.

Court documents obtained by Arizona’s family say gunshots were found in the ceiling, wall, signage and pillars of the food court, causing approximately $500 worth of damage and spread. mass panic among shopping center patrons.

No injuries were reported.

Police said the teenager was identified as the pistol shooter and Garcia was identified as the rifle shooter.

Police say the teenager admitted to taking part in the shooting. Arrest documents show the teen said he first thought about fighting the victim or pistol-whipping him, but decided to shoot instead.

He said the victims shot at him as he walked through the mall and that they had shot at him before but did not tell police because it was a group of seven people.

According to court documents, the teenager stated that there was an ongoing dispute between the victims, which reportedly involved a shooting at the Hooks’ home earlier this year, which was confirmed in a Phoenix police report prepared at the time.

In an interview with investigators, Hook first said he didn’t know who the shooter was, but then said the perpetrators were the teenager and “Vic,” whom police said was Garcia. Hook, however, said he “was only there to buy a hat and fled when the suspect fired.”

Hook explained that he only later learned that their “enemies” were at the mall and that he was “expressing his anger about his mom’s house being shot up.” Police said Hook admitted he wanted to retaliate but knew he couldn’t because he was on probation.

During questioning, Hook said he had already seen the victim walking around the neighborhood and “wanted to try to fight him” because they were shooting at his house. But when the shooting happened, it stopped him from confronting him.

He then talked about flashbacks and said he was going to ask them to fight, according to the documents.

All three suspects were sent to prison.

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