Two men sentenced in Phoenix murder of 17-year-old Adian Apel during arranged marijuana sale

Case centers on July 2024 shooting near 7th Avenue and Buckeye Road

Two men have been sentenced to state prison for the killing of 17-year-old Adian Apel, who was fatally shot in Phoenix during what prosecutors said was a planned drug transaction that turned into a robbery and homicide.

Agel Chan Ring, 19, received a 22-year prison sentence. Nathan Da Ron James, 20, received a 13-year prison sentence. Both men entered guilty pleas to second-degree murder.

What the court record established about the shooting

The killing occurred on July 28, 2024, just after 11 a.m., near 7th Avenue and Buckeye Road. Investigators said Apel was lured to the location after Ring and James arranged to buy marijuana from him.

During the encounter, Apel went to retrieve the marijuana from the center console of his vehicle. Court proceedings determined that Ring shot Apel twice in the chest. Authorities said Ring and James then took items from Apel, including the marijuana, his phone and a gun.

• Date and time: July 28, 2024, shortly after 11 a.m.
• Location: near 7th Avenue and Buckeye Road in Phoenix
• Outcome: Apel died after being shot twice in the chest
• Plea: both defendants pleaded guilty to second-degree murder

How investigators linked the defendants to the homicide

In the investigation that followed, police and prosecutors said multiple forms of evidence were used to connect the two men to the shooting. Those included witness statements, cell phone records, social media videos and DNA evidence.

Ring was arrested near the scene, while James was later located in Kansas City, Missouri, and extradited to Arizona to face charges.

Sentencing details and firearm restriction noted in court

Ring’s 22-year term is longer than James’ 13-year term. Prosecutors also stated that Ring was a prohibited possessor at the time of the shooting, meaning he was legally barred from having a firearm.

The case illustrates how planned drug transactions can escalate into violent crimes, often involving firearms and robbery allegations.

With the guilty pleas and prison sentences imposed, the case has moved from prosecution to the start of lengthy incarcerations for both defendants, closing one of Phoenix’s more closely watched youth-victim homicide cases from 2024.