Investigation into May shooting death leads to 3 arrests

PHOENIX — A monthslong investigation into a shooting that killed a 16-year-old boy in Mesa culminated with three suspects arrested as of Friday.

According to the Mesa Police Department, Bre’on Ballard was taken into custody last week in California, while Nikko Cartier and Jameeier White were arrested on Friday.

Ballard and Cartier were 18 years old at the time of the killing, while White was 19.

The shooting occurred on May 21 around 10 p.m. at an apartment complex near the intersection of Val Vista Drive and U.S. 60.

On that day, two victims were located at the apartment complex with gunshot wounds and both were taken to a nearby hospital where 16-year-old Azriel Lloyd was pronounced dead.

Ballard, Cartier and White were all persons of interest in the early stages of the investigation, but officers needed to collect additional evidence before charges could be brought forth.

Over the past six months, numerous interviews, search warrants, forensic analysis and testing provided enough support for police to make the three arrests.

The investigation spanned across Mesa and other Phoenix-area cities and several firearms were recovered.

All three suspects have been charged with first-degree murder and are being held on $2 million bond.

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