Mesa Police Department reported that a 19-year-old male opened fire during a street confrontation in Mesa, Arizona, on Friday afternoon. The incident occurred at approximately 2:38 p.m. local time and resulted in four individuals sustaining injuries. Authorities identified the encounter as linked to an ongoing gang dispute, prompting a rapid response from law enforcement.
According to the police report, the suspect approached the scene of the confrontation and discharged a firearm, striking four people. Emergency services arrived promptly, providing medical assistance to the victims. All four injured parties were transported to local hospitals for treatment, though the department has not released details regarding the severity of their injuries.
Investigators are treating the shooting as a homicide investigation, focusing on the gang-related motive that police say underlies the altercation. The Mesa Police Department has launched a citywide manhunt to locate the suspect, who remains at large. Officers are reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses to piece together the sequence of events that led to the gunfire.
The department urged residents to remain vigilant and report any information that could aid in apprehending the suspect. The investigation continues as authorities work to determine whether additional individuals were involved in the dispute and to assess the broader impact of gang activity on community safety in Mesa.