Sheriff’s Office investigating shooting on Shiflet Avenue

Jon Johnson File Photo/Gila Herald: The Graham County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting on Shiflet Avenue that may have been drug-related. 

By Jon Johnson

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com

GRAHAM COUNTY – The Graham County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that occurred Oct. 22 at a residence on N. Shiflet Avenue.

Sheriff’s Office deputies and a Pima Police officer responded to the scene at about 4:27 p.m. and learned that at least two bullets had penetrated the house.

The occupants advised they heard three gunshots and that something had hit the ceiling. Deputies located a hole in the residence above a window and followed the trajectory to a hold in the ceiling. Another bullet hole was found that went through a metal trash can that was on the porch, then through a plastic storage container and into the house. The bullet hit the side of an entertainment center and fell to the floor. The bullet was recovered by a detective. Authorities could not locate anywhere a third round might have hit.

One of the victims advised that they had seen a white mini-van driving down the road prior to the shooting and believed the driver, whom they knew, was the shooter.

When asked to elaborate, one of the victims said he had gotten into a dispute with the driver of the minivan over a marijuana deal and that he wasn’t about to let the man “hustle” him and refused to buy what he was selling.

The victims’ parents arrived at the residence as a Pima Police officer was inside making sure all were safe and he reported that they were angry at the victims for “being involved in theft and drug activity.”

Investigators attempted to locate the suspected shooter, but as of Friday had not done so. The case remains open.