Suspects arrested in connection with alleged attempted robbery, shooting near Tempe Town Lake

PHOENIX — Two men were arrested in connection with an alleged attempted robbery turned shooting near Tempe Town Lake on Friday night, authorities said.

The Tempe Police Department identified 18-year-old Sergio Rodriguez Avila and 20-year-old Rafael Rodriguez Avila as the men taken into custody.

According to Tempe Police, both men face charges of aggravated assault and aggravated robbery.

Details on shooting near Tempe Town Lake

Police said officers and detectives responded to the area of Rio Salado Parkway and Hardy Drive for a shooting investigation at 11:42 p.m.

Two people were reportedly riding scooters on the south side of Tempe Town Lake when a group of multiple people, including the two men, approached them.

According to Tempe police, the group attempted to rob one of the scooter riders at gunpoint.

That is when the scooter riders and one of the suspects exchanged gunfire, police said.

The group and both men reportedly left before officers arrived but were later located by police.

One of the scooter riders and two of the suspects were transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to Tempe police.

Related

3 hurt in alleged attempted robbery, shooting near Tempe Town Lake2 teen suspects arrested in connection with deadly shooting in ChandlerElection changes could lead to quicker results in Maricopa County, Adrian Fontes says3 defendants sentenced to years in prison in Arizona meth trafficking caseLive updates for Arizona’s 2026 midterm primaries: County website glitchMain roadway between Maricopa and metro Phoenix reopens after fatal incident