Phoenix, Arizona police are looking for a woman they say shot and killed a teenage girl inside a car earlier this month as two others have already been arrested. The 18-year-old on the loose has been identified as Lindsey Brianna Aguilar.
Phoenix Police Sgt. Mercedes Fortune said on Friday, 19-year-old Jesus Padilla was arrested and charged with first-degree murder by facilitation for his connection to the shooting death of 17-year-old Itzel E. Espinoza. She was found inside of a car in an alley near 35th and Southern avenues on July 3. Phoenix police say she was shot and died at the scene.
A second suspect, a 16-year-old boy, has also been arrested. Fortune said is facing a charged of abandonment of a body. He was booked into a juvenile detention center. He has not been identified since he’s under 18.
According to court records, Padilla happened to be near 27th Avenue and Broadway Road, standing near Espinoza and Aguilar, who were fighting.
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Espinoza ran to a parked car nearby, got inside, and locked the door. Aguilar banged on the window, demanding she gets out. Aguilar then asked Padilla for a gun. He took a gun from his pants then handed it to her, according to the police report. Aguilar then fired the gun multiple times, hitting Espinoza inside the car, court documents said. Aguilar then handed the gun back to Padilla, and they both left the scene, according to the police report.
Court records say Padilla was identified by a witness who reportedly saw the fight between the two teens and saw Padilla handing the gun over. Padilla admitted to police that he handed the gun over to Aguilar and witnessed her shooting the victim, investigators said.
“Pretty much one thing I will say is God is great, and they will pay for it, you know?” says Eduardo Espinoza, Itzel’s father. Eduardo says detectives updated him on the case Monday morning. He feels confident the people responsible for his daughter’s murder will be brought to justice. In the meantime, Eduardo says he’s having difficulty coping with the loss and has a hard time leaving the house.
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He wants to let people know that he is grateful beyond words for all the help and support he has received from loved ones. “I don’t have enough words or the right way to express my gratitude to every single one of them,” says Eduardo. “I’m so grateful for all the people who actually reached to us.”
Anyone with information about Aguilar is asked to call the Phoenix Police Department or Silent Witness at either 480-WITNESS (948-6377) or 1-800-343-TIPS (8477). Spanish speakers may call 480-TESTIGO (837-8446).
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