Suspect arrested for Gilbert shooting that left 16-year-old boy in critical condition

PHOENIX — A 16-year-old boy is in critical condition after being shot while visiting his girlfriend at an East Valley home over the weekend, police said.

The suspect, 21-year-old Rael Sanchez, was taken into custody on Sunday, a day after the shooting near Warner and Recker roads, according to the Gilbert Police Department.

Sanchez was allegedly visiting family at their Gilbert home, and witnesses reported that he was seen with a firearm and acted erratically before the shooting, police said.

Sanchez allegedly drove away from the scene, police said.

How did police find man accused of shooting teen in Gilbert?

Sanchez was allegedly involved in an unrelated incident in Phoenix, police said.

Through this separate situation, officers with the Phoenix Police Department located him, after which he was brought to a nearby hospital and taken into custody by the Gilbert Police Department upon release.

He is now facing one charge of attempted second-degree murder, police said.

The victim was in critical condition as of Sunday, and police have not given an update on his condition.

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