Teenage boy dies after getting shot near First Friday activities in downtown Phoenix

PHOENIX — A teenage boy who was shot in downtown Phoenix while last week’s First Friday activities were happening nearby has died, authorities announced Tuesday.

Officers responded to the scene after shots were fired near Seventh and Garfield streets around 10:20 p.m., according to the Phoenix Police Department.

They located 17-year-old Aaron Williams, who was suffering from at least one gunshot wound.

Williams was in critical condition when he was taken to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Detectives believe multiple witnesses were in the area at the time of the shooting.

Anybody with information about the case is asked to call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (948-6377) or 480-TESTIGO (837-8446) for Spanish. Callers can remain anonymous, and tips that lead to an arrest could be eligible for a cash reward.

Curfew for minors started at First Friday last year

The shooting occurred a block south of the Roosevelt Row Arts District, where the popular First Friday event is held each month.

Last year, police started enforcing a curfew for minors at the event in response to an uptick in violence. Attendees under the age of 16 can’t be unaccompanied after 10 p.m., while 16- and 17-year-olds can stay at the free cultural event through midnight.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s David Veenstra contributed to this report.

This is an updated version of a story originally published Jan. 3, 2026.

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