2 sentenced for Phoenix bus stop shooting that injured man, baby

PHOENIX — Two men accused of shooting a victim and hitting a baby with a stray bullet two years ago in Phoenix have been sentenced to prison, authorities said.

Zackary Jacob Carrillo, 20, and Miguel Ceja, 21, shot a man near 43rd Avenue and Thomas Road in May 2023, according to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO).

A stray bullet Ceja fired struck a 6-month-old baby in a nearby car that was stopped at a red light, fracturing her skull, prosecutors said.

The man Carillo and Ceja assaulted suffered from various injuries after being shot 17 times.

Both victims survived the shooting.

“It’s miraculous that two innocent people, including a baby caught in the crossfire, didn’t lose their lives that day,” Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said in a Tuesday announcement.

What led up to Phoenix bus stop shooting that injured man, baby?

The duo’s male victim was waiting for a bus after work when Carrillo and Ceja approached him.

Ceja pulled up his shirt to show a gun in his waistband, asking the victim if he was ready to die, prosecutors said.

The victim then tried to walk away to a nearby gas station to avoid being robbed, but the men opened fire, according to MCAO. He then returned fire on the two men.

Carillo and Ceja exchanged over a dozen shots with the victim.

Charges for two men in Phoenix bus stop shooting from 2023

It was during the standoff with the victim that a bullet from Ceja’s gun went through a stopped car and struck the baby girl in the head. He pleaded guilty to attempt to commit second-degree murder and aggravated assault.

Ceja was sentenced to 21 years in prison.

Carrillo also pleaded guilty to attempt to commit second-degree murder. He was sentenced to 10.5 years in prison.

“These criminals showed a blatant indifference for life all because of a perceived wrong look,” Mitchell said. “Anyone who carries out this type of senseless violence in Maricopa County will be held accountable.”

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