ARIZONA NEWS

Police arrest suspect of 5 shootings that killed 4, injured 1 in Valley

May 28, 2023, 10:57 AM | Updated: May 30, 2023, 6:02 am

(Iren Byers - Mesa Police Photo)...

(Iren Byers - Mesa Police Photo)

(Iren Byers - Mesa Police Photo)

PHOENIX — Police in Mesa arrested 20-year-old Iren Byers in connections to the deaths of four men and one injured woman discovered late Friday night and early Saturday morning in five separate shootings.

Byers was arrested on four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder.

Officers dispatched to Beverly Park around 10:30 p.m. on Friday and found 41-year-old Julian Cox dead at the scene, according to a press release.

While still at the park, police heard shots being fired nearby and searched the area.

Approximately two hours later, police found 36-year-old Angela Fonseca with injuries near the intersection of Stewart and Main streets.

The woman was taken to a nearby hospital, was in stable condition and will undergo surgery for serious injuries.

Just before 1 a.m. on Saturday, someone called police to report a dead body near the Greyhound station on Country Club Road.

Officers arrived and found 41-year-old Stephen Young deceased at the scene.

Police searched the area and discovered 40-year-old John Swain dead just after 2 a.m. near Extension Road and Main Street.

All four victims suffered from gunshot wounds.

Police also connected Byers to a fifth shooting earlier on Friday in Phoenix near the intersection of 24th and Oak streets.

According to police, shell casings from the shooting scenes were all linked to the same 9mm handgun.

Video surveillance footage from light rail, Circle K and Ring cameras showed Byers wearing the same clothing reported by witnesses at multiple shooting scenes.

Byers was taken into custody for trespassing near the intersection of Extension Road and Main Street. He was cooperative with police, took responsibility for the shooting and told officers where they could find the clothes and gun used in the crimes, according to the release.

Police identified the victim of the Phoenix shooting as 41-year-old Nicholas Arnstad. They are waiting to notify next of kin before releasing names of the other victims.

Anyone who has information about these cases is asked to call (480) 644-2211.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

(Facebook File Photo/Phoenix Police Department)...

KTAR.com

Man kills woman, shoots man then commits suicide in South Phoenix

According to Phoenix police, a Phoenix man shot and killed himself after witnesses identified him as a suspect in an earlier double shooting.

2 hours ago

patrol car in front of caution tape...

KTAR.com

Man shot and killed Friday night in downtown Phoenix

Phoenix police detectives are seeking more information after officer found a man with a gunshot wound in downtown Phoenix late Friday night.

3 hours ago

Officer involved shooting Glendale...

KTAR.com

Police investigating deaths of 2 men in Glendale

Police are investigating the deaths of two men in Glendale.

4 hours ago

File photo of a night-time crime scene in Phoenix, Arizona....

KTAR.com

Man killed after motorcycle crashes into car in Phoenix

Police are investigating a fatal collision involving a motorcycle and a car that took place in a Phoenix intersection

6 hours ago

(Photo provided by Peoria Police Department.)...

KTAR.com

Police seek assistance in locating endangered senior from Peoria

The Peoria Police Department is seeking the public’s help in locating an 83-year-old man who has several medical conditions, for which he receives medical treatment.

7 hours ago

(Photo provided by Arizona Bike Week.)...

KTAR.com

Godsmack to headline concerts at 2024 Arizona Bike Week in Scottsdale

Alternative metal band Godsmack is scheduled to be the headline act at next year's Arizona Bike Week in Scottsdale

9 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

SCHWARTZ LASER EYE CENTER

Key dates for Arizona sports fans to look forward to this fall

Fall brings new beginnings in different ways for Arizona’s professional sports teams like the Cardinals and Coyotes.

Home moving relocation in Arizona 2023...

BMS Moving

Tips for making your move in Arizona easier

If you're moving to a new home in Arizona, use this to-do list to alleviate some stress and ensure a smoother transition to your new home.

...

OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center

5 mental health myths you didn’t know were made up

Helping individuals understand mental health diagnoses like obsessive compulsive spectrum disorder or generalized anxiety disorder isn’t always an easy undertaking. After all, our society tends to spread misconceptions about mental health like wildfire. This is why being mindful about how we talk about mental health is so important. We can either perpetuate misinformation about already […]

Police arrest suspect of 5 shootings that killed 4, injured 1 in Valley