Man sentenced to 20 years in prison for 2023 murder at Phoenix business

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A man has learned his fate more than two years after shooting and killing a man at a Family Dollar Store in north Phoenix.

On Monday, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced that 37-year-old Noel Jesus Gordillo was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the murder of 43-year-old Christopher Gonzales.

On March 5, 2023, Phoenix police responded to reports of a person who was injured and bleeding inside a Family Dollar Store near Cactus Road and 28th Drive, just west of Interstate 17.

Officers found Gonzales lying on the floor of the store, bleeding from the head. He died at the scene. The medical examiner later determined that Gonzales died from a gunshot wound to the head and ruled his death a homicide.

The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office says investigators reviewed video surveillance, which showed Gonzales standing with two other people near 28th Drive. That’s when Gordillo approached the group on a bicycle and shot Gonzales.

According to court documents, police interviewed a witness on March 14, 2023, who said Gordillo was the brother of a woman he knew and said the woman accused Gonzales of attempting to assault her. The witness said Gordillo was looking for Gonzales to retaliate.

The witness said he was talking to Gonzales when Gordillo approached them and yelled, “Yo Chris,” pointed a gun and fired a shot. Gonzales ran away and was followed by Gordillo.

Court docs say the witness identified Gordillo from a photograph lineup as the person who shot Gonzales. MCAO says that at the time of the murder, Gonzales had already served two prison sentences and had six prior felony convictions.

“This criminal has proven again that he cannot live in our community and must be incarcerated,” said Mitchell. “To the family and friends of the victim, my heart goes out to them; I hope this sentence gives them peace of mind in knowing this criminal will not be back out on the streets for years, serving time for the pain and damage he has caused.”

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