Man found guilty of killing 2 people in Chandler parking lot in 2017
Apr 12, 2024, 6:44 AM | Updated: 6:54 am
Taron Lavelle Watkins was found guilty of a double murder in Chandler. (Photos: Chandler Police Department, left, Nati Harnik/via Associated Press, right)
(Photos: Chandler Police Department, left, Nati Harnik/via Associated Press, right)
PHOENIX — A man who killed two people and wounded another in a shooting in Chandler nearly seven years ago was found guilty of first-degree murder and other charges, authorities announced Thursday.
Taron Lavelle Watkins, 29, shot people who were sitting in a parked car with him on Aug. 26, 2017, according to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.
One of his victims was a 16-year-old girl in the backseat, MCAO said.
Prosecutors don’t know why Watkins opened fire. They said Watkins also shot a third victim, who survived his wounds and called 911 for help.
What punishment does the Chandler double murder culprit face?
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Watkins faces two natural life sentences after being found guilty of these charges:
- Two counts of first-degree murder.
- One count of attempted first-degree murder.
- One count of aggravated assault.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said this case has been especially hard to prosecute.
“This has been a difficult case that has taken years to bring to justice,” Mitchell said in a statement. “I commend the prosecutors who have worked arduously on behalf of the victims and their families to ensure this violent offender is held accountable.”
