Arrest made five months after 19-year-old woman killed in Phoenix home break-in

PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) -- Five months after a 19-year-old woman was shot to death during a Phoenix home break-in, police have found the alleged gunman. Officers said on Thursday afternoon 18-year-old Jvion Gadson-Scott was arrested for the murder of Destiny Hernandez, who was shot and killed at her boyfriend’s home near 79th Avenue and Broadway Road in July. Gadson-Scott was booked on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated assault, burglary and 10 counts of possession of a weapon by a prohibited person.

On July 13, police say Hernandez was at the house when several people broke in and began shooting. Hernandez was shot multiple times and died at the scene. Another man was also hurt, but investigators didn’t specify who he was.

Phoenix Police Sgt. Phil Krynsky said detectives were able to match DNA from a weapon recovered at the crime scene to Gadson-Scott. “There was DNA that was able to connect this individual to the crime,” Sgt. Krynsky said. “These things do take time, but we want to make sure we give it the time each investigation deserves.”

Sgt. Krynsky couldn’t say whether Gadson-Scott and Hernandez knew each other or if there was a motive. He said the department was fortunate to connect the dots and hold him accountable. “We hope this is some type of justice for the family to process things moving forward. It impacts everybody our community, it impacts us. Any life lost is major, and especially a life this young,” he said.

Police haven’t released any information about other suspects. The investigation is ongoing.

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