Quartzsite Police arrest 2 in Saturday's drive-by shooting
By Shanana Rain BearCat
Publisher Desert Messenger
Quartzsite- AZ- In the quiet town of Quartzsite a drive-by shooting took place Saturday, May 16th. Evidently it was a targeted shooting, not a random act of violence. A family member of the victim said there was a planned one-on-one fight planned, but the victim backed out. Quartzsite Police Department has arrested the alleged shooter and a female. The following is the press release issued this morning.
May 18, 2015
On
Saturday, May 16, 2015, at approximately 4:16 PM, Quartzsite Police Department
(QPD) was called to the scene of a shooting at the intersection of Palo Verde
and Main Street in the Town of Quartzsite, Arizona. This information was provided
to the QPD from the La Paz County Sheriff’s Office dispatcher from a 911
caller. QPD Officer Conley and Sergeant Frausto arrived on scene and observed numerous
individuals and a Hispanic male, later identified as Roberto Chavez, Jr., bleeding with a single gun shoot wound to the
upper arm and back area. The Quartzsite Fire Department was dispatched to the
scene where the shooting victim was airlifted to West Valley Hospital in Phoenix with serious
injuries. A short time later, QPD
located the described shooter’s vehicle at 621 Spring Street in
Quartzsite. Chief Renfro called and
assigned case Detective Mike Lancaster to the West Valley Hospital to interview
and obtain his medical condition. The Quartzsite Police Department has spent
hours processing the vehicle and scene by gathering evidence and witness
statements. QPD worked late into the
night attempting to locate the shooting suspect(s).
 |
| Ryan Rangel |
 |
| Gloria Huerta |
On
Sunday May 17, 2015, at approximately 1:09 PM by good police work, QPD located
and arrested Ryan Rangel for
Attempted First Degree Murder and Aggravated Assault at Hadlock’s “Shady Spot”
space number 6 (#40) in Quartzsite.
Also, Gloria Huerta was
arrested and charged for Hindering and Facilitation of a fugitive. Both Ryan Rangel and Gloria Huerta were booked into the La Paz County Sheriff’s
Department jail in Parker, Arizona for the above listed charges. QPD will file long form charges through the
La Paz County Attorney’s Office on the driver of the get-a-way vehicle
identified as Orlando Tinoco for
Attempted First Degree Murder and Aggravated Assault.
The
Quartzsite Police Department continued to vigorously investigate all angles and
aspects of the case surrounding the shooting of Roberto Chavez, Jr. At
approximately 1600 hours, the QPD recovered the weapon used in the shooting of Roberto Chavez, Jr. At this time, QPD will submit all evidence for
forensic examination in support of the all charges.
Chief
Renfro would like to thank all the community members who provided valuable information
and assisted us in the capture of Ryan
Rangel. The Quartzsite PD is dedicated to working hard and protecting our
citizens.
Ernie
Renfro
Chief
of Police
Town
of Quartzsite
Office:
(928) 927-4644
