Phoenix police arrest 22-year-old suspect after fatal morning shooting at west Phoenix Erickitoo Culiacan restaurant
Suspect booked on murder charge after shooting reported near 27th Avenue and Indian School Road
A 35-year-old man was killed in a shooting at a west Phoenix restaurant on Friday morning, and a 22-year-old suspect was arrested the same day and booked into jail on a murder charge, authorities said.
Emergency calls reporting gunfire came in shortly after 8 a.m. on Friday, prompting officers and other first responders to the area near 27th Avenue and Indian School Road. Investigators focused their response on Erickitoo Culiacan, a restaurant in that commercial corridor, where they located the victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The victim was identified as Oscar Humberto Banuelos, 35. Police later arrested Juan Jamie Gomez Aguirre, 22, and said he is the sole suspect they are seeking in the case.
What investigators have said so far
During an initial court appearance early Saturday, prosecutors outlined a sequence in which the suspect entered the restaurant and shot Banuelos. Prosecutors said the suspect began to leave, returned, and shot the victim multiple times before fleeing the area.
The suspect was booked into the Maricopa County jail on one count of murder. A judge set bond at $1 million cash-only.
Police have indicated the investigation remains ongoing and have said they are not looking for additional suspects.
Key confirmed details
Location: Erickitoo Culiacan, near 27th Avenue and Indian School Road in west Phoenix.
Date and time: Friday morning, with the first reports received shortly after 8 a.m.
Victim: Oscar Humberto Banuelos, 35, who died at the scene.
Arrest: Juan Jamie Gomez Aguirre, 22, taken into custody hours later.
Case status: One murder charge filed; bond set at $1 million cash-only; investigation continuing.
What remains unclear
Authorities have not publicly detailed a motive or the circumstances that led up to the shooting, including whether the victim and suspect knew each other, whether the shooting followed an argument, or whether additional witnesses or surveillance video are central to the case.
Investigators have also not released information about the weapon involved or whether it has been recovered.
Next steps in the case
With the suspect in custody, the investigation is expected to move into evidence review and follow-up interviews as the case proceeds through court. Police have emphasized that the inquiry remains active as detectives work to establish a full timeline of events inside and around the restaurant.