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Search continues for suspect in shooting outside Ahwatukee hotel
Posted
Ahwatukee Shooting Location 14245 S. 50th St. Phoenix, AZ 85044
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An 18-year-old was arrested in connection with a shooting in Ahwatukee that left a 17-year-old with life-threatening injuries.
However, the alleged shooter remains outstanding.
James Tyler Gooch, 18, faces charges of aggravated assault, tampering with evidence, obstructing a criminal investigation, armed robbery, weapons misconduct and possession of dangerous drugs.
Before 9 p.m. Saturday, Phoenix police responded to a shooting at a hotel near Interstate 10 and Ray Road.
Officers located a 17-year-old male with a gunshot wound next to a vehicle. Police said the victim was also found with a handgun in his pocket.
According to court documents, he was taken to a hospital and put on life support, but authorities do not expect him to survive his injuries.
Records state Mr. Gooch contacted police and said he had been driving the 17-year-old to various locations, possibly in relation to phone scams and drug dealing. Mr. Gooch said the victim was going to pay him $500 for his help.
Mr. Gooch said they had driven to multiple places all day to meet with people, but no one showed up.
As for the shooting, Mr. Gooch provided conflicting accounts of what happened outside the hotel. He initially told police an armed male had emerged from some bushes and shot the 17-year-old before fleeing the area.
However, Mr. Gooch later admitted to lying about the unknown suspect, saying the suspect and victim knew each other. Mr. Gooch said the suspect stopped the vehicle, and the victim at one point gave his handgun to the suspect. The suspect then allegedly shot the 17-year-old.
Mr. Gooch said the suspect told him to put the handgun back in the victim’s pocket and wait before reporting the shooting. Mr. Gooch also allegedly removed about $2,000 from the victim’s pocket and gave it to the suspect.
Police found over $600 in the shoes of Mr. Gooch, who also admitted to selling Xanax to the victim.
When police found an image of the victim's handgun on Mr. Gooch's phone, Mr. Gooch claimed it was someone trying to sell him a gun. However, he would not explain why the serial numbers matched.
Mr. Gooch was booked into jail in lieu of a $75,000 bond with court dates Nov. 7 and 13.
The alleged shooter in this incident appears to still be on the loose. Anyone with information on this case can call 602-262-6141.
