Weekend wrap-up: Here are the biggest Arizona stories from July 8-10
Jul 10, 2022, 6:00 PM
The Westgate retail district was closed off Thursday, May 21, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. Police said one person was in critical condition and two others were injured in a shooting near the shopping and entertainment district west of Phoenix. A Glendale police spokeswoman said that the suspect was taken into custody safely. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
PHOENIX – The shooter in Glendale’s Westgate Entertainment District two years ago found out how long he’ll be behind bars, a two-year-old girl died in a drowning incident in her family’s backyard on Saturday and a man was arrested after the rooftop of a building in downtown Phoenix was engulfed in flames.
Here are some of the biggest stories that headlined the Arizona news cycle over the weekend.
Shooter who wounded 3 at Westgate in 2020 finds out how long he’ll be in prison
The shooter who terrorized Glendale’s Westgate Entertainment District with a rifle two years ago, wounding three people, found out Friday how long he’ll be behind bars.
Armando Hernandez was sentenced to 44 years in prison plus seven years of probation. That was the high end of the sentencing range from his plea deal, which was 19 to 44 years.
In April, he pleaded guilty to two charges of attempted first-degree murder and two charges of aggravated assault for the May 20, 2020, attack.
2-year-old girl dies in backyard pool drowning incident in Phoenix
A two-year-old girl died due to a drowning incident in the backyard of the family’s pool in Phoenix near 101st and Roma avenues.
Phoenix police and fire are investigating the incident after the girl was found submerged around 9 a.m. on Saturday.
According to a release, officers arrived to find the girl unconscious and not breathing while an individual was attempting CPR.
Arizona man sentenced to 4 years in prison for human smuggling
An Arizona man was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in smuggling undocumented immigrants into the United States, authorities said Thursday.
Benjamin Gallegos, 24, of Tucson, previously pleaded guilty on Feb. 3 to conspiracy to transport and harbor undocumented immigrants for profit for his role in organizing, managing and supervising others within an organization that smuggled individuals, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Arizona said in a press release.
He coordinated with other co-conspirators to help smuggle people into Arizona from Mexico, Central America and South America by offering guide services and transportation to those seeking to enter the country.
Man arrested after roof of Phoenix building engulfed in flames
A man was arrested in connection to a fire at an abandoned building in downtown Phoenix on Thursday, authorities said.
Alfonso Martinez, 43, was booked on one count of arson and driving under the influence after fire personnel battled the blaze near Fifth Avenue and Monroe Street, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.
Fire personnel responded to the commercial building around 4 p.m. and found smoke and flames coming from the roof.
Doughnut stop believing: Bashas’ sets sights on Guinness record
Some assembly required: Valley-based grocer Bashas’ hopes to take a bite out of the Guinness record for largest doughnut mosaic when it kicks off the chain’s 90th anniversary celebrations.
The record attempt is scheduled for Tuesday at Basha High in Chandler, the supermarket said in a press release. Bakery teams are tasked with putting together over 14,000 doughnuts – that’s 900 square feet – in the shape of the anniversary logo.
The record of 7,040 doughnuts laid out over 512 square feet was set in January 2012.
Construction for upgrades set to begin at Sunset Point Rest Area Monday
Construction to receive millions of dollars in upgrades is set to begin at Sunset Point Rest Area on Interstate 17 north of Phoenix on Monday, officials said.
The rest point area located 40 miles north of Phoenix along I-17 will undergo renovations expected to be completed in spring 2023, the Arizona Department of Transportation said in a press release. Wednesday.
The $7.5 million plan includes upgrades to water and septic systems and the restrooms and vending areas.
Visitors will be allowed to use facilities until it closes to the public after Labor Day.
