Mesa police arrest suspect after husband and wife killed in shootout

PHOENIX – A suspect was arrested in connection with last week’s shootout at a Mesa apartment complex that left a husband and wife dead, authorities said Thursday.

Johnel Trinidad, 44, allegedly killed the couple while exchanging gunfire with the wife’s son near Main Street and Power Road on Nov. 1, the Mesa Police Department said in a press release.

Police responded to the scene around 11:15 p.m. after receiving calls about shots fired and found 48-year-old Ronnie Lazalde and 41-year-old Natishia Lazalde under a stairwell with gunshot wounds.

Ronnie Lazalde was pronounced dead at the scene. Natishia Lazalde died after being taken to a hospital.

Investigators determined that Trinidad and Natishia Lazalde were in an apartment when her son arrived. The son and Trinidad got into a verbal altercation. When they moved outside, Ronnie Lazalde joined the argument.

Police said Trinidad then pulled out a gun and fired at the son and Ronnie Lazalde. The son fired back and hit Trinidad in the leg as he ran off.

According to court documents, police found multiple shell casings at the scene and bullet strikes on buildings. Preliminary crime lab findings indicated the bullets that killed the Lazaldes came from the same Glock handgun.

Trinidad was hospitalized until being released into police custody. He was booked into jail Tuesday on the two manslaughter counts and one count of prohibited weapons possession.

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