A Sunday night shooting at a packed restaurant in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale has left at least three people dead and five others injured, in what authorities are describing as a chaotic and violent incident involving multiple shooters.
The shooting occurred around 7:45 p.m. at El Camaron Gigante Mariscos & Steakhouse, a popular dining spot in the city known for hosting large gatherings and weekend events.
According to Officer Moroni Mendez of the Glendale Police Department, officers were dispatched to the scene after receiving multiple emergency calls reporting gunfire.
At a press briefing on Monday, Mendez confirmed the fatalities and injuries, stating that the victims sustained wounds from either direct gunfire or flying shrapnel.
“Obviously, there were a lot of people here,” Mendez said. “A lot of people were attending some sort of event. We want to ensure we conduct a complete and thorough investigation to do right by the victims.”
Police have not yet identified any suspects but said that preliminary findings suggest more than one shooter may have been involved. Multiple individuals present at the scene are currently being questioned as part of the ongoing investigation.
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“There are three deceased,” Mendez reiterated. “Anyone who has information should come forward. This case is far from over, and the community’s help is critical.”
Bystanders described scenes of panic and heartbreak. Lupe Rodriguez, who had been dining nearby, recalled running for cover as gunfire erupted. “There was a man on the ground, and it didn’t look like he made it,” he said. “His father was yelling out his name. It was pretty bad.”
Authorities have yet to determine a motive for the shooting, and they are appealing to the public for assistance in piecing together what happened.
Surveillance footage from nearby businesses is being reviewed, and additional forensic teams have been deployed to examine the scene.
The names of the deceased have not yet been released pending notification of their families. The five injured victims are reportedly receiving treatment at local hospitals, though their conditions have not been made public.
El Camaron Gigante has not issued a statement but has since closed its doors temporarily as investigators continue their work.
Police are urging anyone with video footage or firsthand knowledge of the incident to contact the Glendale Police Department immediately.
As the investigation unfolds, residents are left grappling with yet another mass shooting in a public space.