MESA, Ariz. — The suspect who fatally shot one man and wounded five others in Mesa, Arizona, is in custody, authorities said Wednesday.
BREAKING: @MesaPD has reported that Mesa is reporting the suspect has been captured in the area of west Mesa near 8th Ave. and Dobson
— Arizona State University Police Department (@ASUPolice) March 18, 2015
The series of shootings took place Wednesday morning in several locations, Detective Esteban Flores of the Mesa Police Department said.
The shootings began at a motel where the suspect got into an argument in a room then shot three people whom he likely knew outside, Flores said.
One man who was shot at the Tri-City Inn, across the street from the East Valley Institute of Technology, died, Flores said.
Two women were wounded as was an EVIT student who was at a restaurant run by the school on the other side of the street, Flores said. The wounded man crossed the road to be treated when paramedics arrived.
In regards to the incident on EVIT Main Campus, parents of those affected have been notified. Further details are forthcoming.
— EVIT Career & College Prep #WeAreEVIT (@EVITnews) March 18, 2015
EVIT Main Campus will remain open for the afternoon session. Students don't have to come. If they do pls enter from far West entrance.
— EVIT Career & College Prep #WeAreEVIT (@EVITnews) March 18, 2015
The suspect carjacked a Honda and later shot a man after breaking into his apartment and another man in the apartment complex next door. Both men were expected to live. Flores said the suspect likely was trying to rob his victims as he tried to get away from authorities.
Flores said the suspect, whom he didn’t identify, was found by Mesa’s SWAT team in a second-floor condo that was vacant. Police moved into the unit and used a Taser on the suspect.
The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted local authorities in the manhunt.
News of the shootings caught the attention of the state’s senior U.S. senator.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the people of #Mesa right now #Arizona,” U.S. Sen. John McCain said on Twitter Wednesday.
My thoughts and prayers are with the people of #Mesa right now #Arizona
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) March 18, 2015
Mesa is about 20 miles east of Phoenix and is Arizona’s third-largest city.