Woman arrested in connection with fatal September 2025 Phoenix intersection shooting

PHOENIX — A 24-year-old woman was arrested Monday in connection with a September 2025 shooting at a Phoenix intersection that left a 54-year-old man dead, authorities said.

Following the deadly Sept. 27 incident, the Phoenix Police Department originally released Heather Crystal Arriaga pending further investigation. However, Arriaga was taken into custody Monday and booked into jail on a manslaughter charge.

She is being held on a $500,000 bond and will be arraigned in court on April 14.

More details on the fatal September 2025 shooting that led to Arriaga’s arrest

On Sept. 27, 2025, officers were called to the intersection of Missouri and Seventh avenues where they found Stephen Guardino suffering from a gunshot wound. Guardino was taken to a nearby hospital where he later died, police said.

Through the initial investigation, detectives determined that Guardino had gotten out of his car to confront Arriaga, who was inside her vehicle.

Arriaga then shot Guardino from inside her car. She then remained at the scene to speak with police, according to authorities.

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