Glendale: 15-Year-Old Charged After Westgate Shooting Injures 5, Including His 8-Year-Old Sister

A July Fourth celebration turns violent at Westgate

A 15-year-old Phoenix boy is facing criminal charges after a shooting at Glendale’s Westgate Entertainment District on the Fourth of July left five people wounded, including his own 8-year-old sister, according to court documents and police reports.

The Glendale Police Department said the teen opened fire near the fountain at 91st and Glendale Avenues around 9 p.m. Saturday after a confrontation with classmates escalated into a physical fight.

Five shot, all survive

All five victims were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, said Sgt. Bryan Hoskin of the Glendale Police Department. Most were treated and released from local hospitals.

“None of the injuries reported by any of the victims were considered life-threatening, and most of those involved were treated and released from the local hospitals,” Hoskin said.

Court filings detailed the wounds:

• One juvenile was shot in the hip and may require surgery
• One juvenile was shot in the thigh
• The suspect’s 8-year-old sister sustained a gunshot wound to the leg
• Two other victims in the opposing group were shot
• A bystander was grazed by a bullet and was not involved in the altercation

Cash, a gun bought for $400, and a claim of self-defense

The suspect was visiting Westgate with his family, including his mother and sister, after watching fireworks. He encountered a group of teens he knew from school lunches but described as not friendly, according to court records.

The teen admitted to displaying roughly $800 in cash to taunt the other group, court documents said. The confrontation escalated. Someone from the other group pulled a second firearm and shot back, according to the filings.

The suspect claimed he acted in self-defense and said he fired only once after seeing the other group draw a gun, court documents said. Police said he admitted to firing from the hip and not aiming at anyone specifically.

• The suspect said he illegally bought the 9 mm handgun from an unknown person at a park for $400 about a week earlier
• Police found the suspect with the handgun and $850 in cash
• Officers recovered two 9 mm shell casings and one .40-caliber shell casing at the scene

Lockdown and arrest

The shooting triggered panic among the holiday crowd. Westgate was placed on lockdown for roughly two hours while officers and SWAT members swept the property.

“Our teams were there very quickly to limit the exposure to everybody who was there,” Hoskin said. “It could’ve happened anywhere. It could’ve happened at a Walmart in South Phoenix, or it could’ve happened at an ASU football game in Tempe.”

The suspect was found hiding elsewhere within the plaza and taken into custody without further incident. The lockdown was lifted around 11 p.m.

The 15-year-old was booked into jail on charges of aggravated assault, endangerment, and minor in possession of a firearm. He has no prior criminal history, according to court records.

Police ask for video

Glendale Police said the shooting was an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to the public. Investigators are asking anyone with video or information about the incident to come forward.

• Glendale Police: 623-930-3000
• Silent Witness: 480-WITNESS (480-TESTIGO for Spanish speakers)

Westgate Entertainment District officials said the incident was not connected to any official Westgate events.