Weekend wrap-up: Here are the biggest Arizona stories from Nov. 12-14

PHOENIX — A person suspected of murder in another state was fatally shot by the U.S. Marshals Service near Sky Harbor Airport, Arizona had a slight decrease in car thefts last year, and a suspect is in custody in a road rage incident that left one man dead.

Here are some of the biggest stories that headlined the Arizona news cycle over the weekend.

Murder suspect shot, killed by US Marshals near Sky Harbor Airport

Members of the U.S. Marshals Service shot and killed a person suspected of murder in another state near Sky Harbor Airport, the agency said Friday.

The incident happened by Buckeye Road and Sky Harbor Circle near the rental car facility sometime before 7 p.m., according to ABC15.

Arizona WANTED task force members tried to apprehend the unidentified fugitive who was wanted in California for a murder that happened in early November, rape, assault and parole violation, the agency said in a press release.

When they attempted to make an arrest the suspect fired multiple rounds at them with a handgun, the agency said.

Task Force Members shot back, striking and killing the suspect at the scene.

FBI report shows slight decrease in Arizona car thefts in 2020

Recent data from the FBI showed Arizona had a slight decrease in car thefts last year, one of only 10 states that had a decline.

The FBI’s Uniform Crime Report Program noted 17,937 vehicle thefts were reported in Arizona for the calendar year of 2020, down from 18,151 in 2019, according to a press release.

Arizona ranks at No. 14 in the number of car thefts nationwide and at No. 21 for car theft rate, which is based on thefts per 100,000 residents, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. It’s the first time the U.S. car theft rate (246.0) exceeded Arizona’s car theft rate (241.7).

The state has also witnessed a notable decline since the early 2000s when there were over 50,000 car thefts a year.

Road rage incident in Chandler leaves 1 dead, suspect in custody

One man has been left dead after a road rage incident in Chandler on Saturday near Gilbert and Germann roads.

Upon arrival, police found a male with a gunshot wound and another male possessing a firearm, authorities said.

The victim, 37-year-old Christopher Pelkey, was transported to the hospital and succumbed to his injuries.

At the time, police did take a suspect into custody, 50-year-old Gabriel Paul Horcasitas.

After an investigation, it was determined the two had an altercation while they were driving northbound on Gilbert Road, police said.

Police situation resolved at Terminal 4 of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport

A police situation that cleared portions of Terminal 4 at Sky Harbor Airport Sunday morning was resolved.

Police were checking out an item on the south curb of Terminal 4 around 11:30 a.m., with authorities clearing the curb and portions of the terminal as a precaution.

The situation was resolved an hour later, the airport said in a tweet.

The Loop 202 Priest Drive off-ramp to State Route 143 was also closed during the police activity, along with the Loop 202 southbound and northbound off-ramps to State Route 143.

Flight and airport operations continued but passengers were advised to enter the airport from the west or use the 44th Street Phoenix Sky Train Station.

Chandler to use $2M grant to provide disadvantaged students microtransit

The city of Chandler announced it will use a $2 million grant to get some students to and from school through a pilot microtransit service system.

The van program will operate from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the south Chandler area through a grant provided by the Arizona Transportation Modernization Grant Program.

The $20 million initiative to improve access to reliable and safe transportation for students was established in the FY2022 budget by the state legislature.

Officials said they hope the Chandler program can be a model to other transit systems following the two-year study and pilot period.

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