Phoenix teen charged with murder and kidnapping after fatal shooting in west Phoenix Costco parking lot

Arrest follows Feb. 8 killing of 19-year-old found shot inside a car

Phoenix police have arrested an 18-year-old suspect in connection with a deadly shooting in a Costco parking lot in west Phoenix that left a 19-year-old man dead. The arrest comes as investigators continue examining whether additional suspects were involved and what circumstances led to the gunfire.

The shooting occurred just after 4 p.m. on Feb. 8, 2026, in the parking lot of a Costco near Indian School Road and Grand Avenue. Officers responding to multiple reports of shots fired found a man inside a vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene and later identified as Jabes Gurrola, 19.

Suspect booked on first-degree murder and kidnapping charges

The suspect, Aarion Sherraud January, 18, was booked into the Maricopa County jail on charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping. He was arrested on Feb. 16, 2026, and held on a $1 million cash bond following an initial court appearance that same day.

Court documents detailing the arrest have been sealed by a judge. During the initial appearance, a prosecutor asked for the sealing order, citing an ongoing investigation into other suspects. In court, the prosecutor described the shooting as occurring “during the course of a kidnapping,” and characterized the event as a coordinated action in which the victim’s vehicle was boxed in.

Video evidence referenced as investigation continues

Investigators have also referenced the presence of video evidence in the case. A nearby vehicle’s camera system was reported to have captured the incident, a detail that may become significant as prosecutors and defense attorneys later dispute the sequence of events and the roles of each participant.

Because key filings are sealed, critical elements remain undisclosed, including what prompted the encounter, how the victim came to be in the parking lot, whether he was targeted, and how investigators identified January as a suspect. Police have said the suspects left the scene before officers arrived.

What is known so far

• The shooting happened Feb. 8, 2026, shortly after 4 p.m., in a Costco parking lot near Indian School Road and Grand Avenue.
• Jabes Gurrola, 19, was found shot inside his car and died at the scene.
• Aarion Sherraud January, 18, was arrested Feb. 16 and booked on first-degree murder and kidnapping charges.
• A judge sealed arrest-related documents after prosecutors said other suspects remain under investigation.

The investigation remains active, with authorities seeking additional information as they work to determine the full scope of involvement and events leading up to the shooting.

Anyone with information about the case is being asked to contact Silent Witness.