Authorities concerned about illegal shooting at West Valley park

PHOENIX – Authorities are stepping up efforts to deter trespassers from illegally gathering and shooting guns in restricted areas of Estrella Mountain Regional Park.

Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Wednesday that the shooting, likely target practice, has been a problem at the sprawling West Valley recreation area on weekends since December.

“We’re responding to calls for service from the community who can hear all these shots being fired,” he said.

In addition to the illegal shooting, the trespassers’ list of violations includes vandalism, littering, camping without a permit, building fires in restricted areas and disorderly or intoxicated behavior.

Enriquez said it’s not just a matter of legality; it’s one of safety.

“What happens when you get so many people in one area, doing shooting and target practice, this is a recipe for disaster because someone’s going to get hurt,” he said.

The park spans nearly 20,000 acres of desert and mountain terrain, with amenities such as camping, fishing, hiking and horseback riding.

Enriquez said the trespassers have been bypassing the park gates and avoiding entry fees.

Using four-wheel drive trucks, ATVs and other off-road vehicles, they’ve been gathering at hard-to-access areas.

The current area of concern is river bottom north of Vineyard Road, south of the Southern Avenue alignment, east of Bullard Avenue and west of the Litchfield Road alignment.

The illegal activity was occurring further south earlier this year until law enforcement agencies intervened.

Enriquez said areas are clearly marked with signs that say shooting and motorized vehicles are not permitted.

“When you show up to these places and you’re not allowed to be there and there’s signage, there’s going to be consequences,” he said.

In addition to the difficult terrain, Enriquez said the fact that the area spans multiple jurisdictions adds the challenge of policing the activity.

He said the sheriff’s office has been working with a variety of agencies, including the Avondale Police Department, the Bureau of Land Management and the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

Enriquez said target shooters should stick to facilities listed on the Game and Fish website or indoor ranges.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Nailea Leon contributed to this report.

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