Guest at July 4 weekend party in Surprise opened fire without provocation, police say

PHOENIX – A shootout that left three people dead at a West Valley home on July Fourth weekend started when a party guest opened fire without provocation, authorities said Monday.

The suspect, 46-year-old Jason Hunt, was among those killed. The Surprise Police Department said Hunt fatally shot two people and wounded four others before another armed guest shot and killed him.

“Detectives have determined the individual who shot Jason, and others who fought against Jason, were acting in self-defense and defense of other innocent parties,” Sgt. Tommy Hale said in a press release.

“Based on the evidence collected to this point and the appearance of Jason’s actions being unprovoked, Jason Hunt has been named the suspect in this investigation. Jason Hunt’s motive is still unknown.”

Police said Hunt joined a gathering and engaged in small talk in front of a house in the area of Bell Road and Grand Avenue on the night of July 3. Hunt, who lived in the neighborhood, followed when the group moved inside. He was offered a plate of food, which he sat down to eat, police said.

“A few moments later, Jason stood up from where he was seated, pulled out a handgun, and killed two innocent people and injured four others,” Hale said.

Police identified the two men Hunt killed as Conrradito Ochoa Navarro, 41, and Carl Dinora, 38.

The investigation is ongoing. Anybody with information was asked to contact Surprise police at 623-222-4000, 623-222-TIPS (8477) or CrimeTips@surpriseaz.gov.

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