There are at least four confirmed shooting scenes in Mesa, though there could be as many as five or six locations, Mesa Police Department Detective Estaban Florez told reporters. Mesa PD and the Arizona State University Police Department have said that the suspect was captured about one mile west southwest of the first scene without any shots fired.
.@MesaPD "Suspect is in custody, you can go back to your homes" #Mesashooting #FOX10PHOENIX pic.twitter.com/f23z6SKA1b
— Marc Martinez (@marcfox10) March 18, 2015
The first shooting occurred at the Tri-City Inn around 8:40 a.m. local time, when three people were shot in a motel room after an argument. One man was killed, while two women were injured and transported to a hospital. The gunman continued shooting outside.
Police do not know if the shooter knew the victims inside the Tri-City Inn, Florez said.
#MesaShooting update: Known scenes in #Mesa active shooter situation. http://t.co/xtsQFkoB8X pic.twitter.com/8u0J0dumGc
— 12 News (@12News) March 18, 2015
UPDATE: Video from the scene of the #MesaShooting http://t.co/YdcbpL06zQ
https://t.co/E2zA9wHOUx
— 12 News (@12News) March 18, 2015
The suspect then stole a car from an EVIT teacher and fled the location. The grey Honda Accord has not been located yet.
A bullet struck a car on Main Street in Mesa, shattering a window, but the woman driving does not appear to be injured, KPHO reported.
The gunman fled to the Sorrento apartment complex on South Dobson, where he attempted a home invasion. During that try, the suspect shot and injured a man, Florez said. A man who called 911 from that location said a woman inside the complex was held at gunpoint by the suspect, who asked for her car keys and cell phone, KNXV reported.
A police officer then found another male victim at a different apartment complex nearby. That victim is in critical condition, Florez said.
The suspect is described as a bald, white male in his 40s, with tattoos on his face and neck. He is wearing a black shirt and black pants.
UPDATE: Suspect in custody in #MesaShootings. The suspect was transported to hospital http://t.co/YdcbpKIvIi pic.twitter.com/D2ETT0BUcc
— 12 News (@12News) March 18, 2015
Police said they do not know the motivation behind the shootings.
SWAT teams and law enforcement agents from multiple jurisdictions worked together to conduct the multi-hour manhunt. Officers searched through multiple apartment complexes, including stopping all cars driving by to search trunks.
After the gunman was arrested, he was brought out to a transport vehicle wearing a biological evidence suit and shackles. The protective suit is used on suspects whose clothing has been taken so that authorities may collect DNA evidence, the Arizona Republic reported.
NOW: Suspect in Mesa shooting led out by police. pic.twitter.com/HDUUJXYxbT
— AZ Family (@azfamily) March 18, 2015
Comment: Surprised the suspect is not dead.