Neighbor dispute leads to deadly shooting in Apache Junction trailer park

APACHE JUNCTION, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) - Apache Junction police are investigating a deadly shooting that happened on Sunday afternoon at a trailer park.

Police say they were called about a shooting around 1:15 p.m. in a neighborhood near Ironwood Road and 4th Avenue. Police say officers arrived and found a man who had been shot in the head. The man later died.

Police located the alleged shooter in a nearby trailer. They evacuated the area and began to try to talk to him to get him to come out. Two shots came from inside the trailer where the suspect was holed up. No one was hurt. Eventually, police were able to get the suspect, a 73-year-old man, to come out, and he was arrested. “We’re not sure what those rounds were are at this time, if it was targeted towards us or others,” said Lt. Thomas Parker of the Apache Junction Police Department.

Police are not yet releasing the names of anyone in this case. Currently, they are notifying the family of the situation. But people that live around here said they knew both of the people involved, and they are really shaken up by this violence.

Crime scene tape and SWAT teams are a shocking sight for those who live in VIP RV Resort. It’s a community for those 55 and older in Apache Junction. “I don’t know where this comes from,” said Billy Malicote, he is a neighbor and close friend of the victim. The news that one neighbor shot and killed another is hard to understand. “I feel so bad. It’s horrible because these people didn’t deserve that,” said Malicote.

“It sounds like the neighborhood dispute may have been more than just today in regards to how long it’s been going and what those topics are about is what we’re trying to find out,” said Lt. Parker.

“I’ve always told everybody Apache Junction is actually a hidden treasure out here. We have a lower crime rate, very safe community, and unfortunately, every now and then we have incidents like this,” said Lt. Parker.

Neighbors are overcome with grief by this tragedy. “Just so shocking really to be so close to them and know them so personally, and love goes out to them. We’re here if they need us,” said Malicote.

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