Three people were killed and five others injured when gunfire erupted at a Cinco de Mayo celebration in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday evening, May 4. The incident occurred around 7:45 p.m. at El Camaron Gigante, a seafood restaurant and steakhouse.
Glendale Police Officer Moroni Mendez stated that authorities suspect multiple shooters were involved. The shooting happened during a gathering of dozens of people, including families with children, celebrating the holiday. The restaurant is located down the street from the Glendale Police Department headquarters.
The violence began after a conflict between two groups during an outdoor concert of 200-300 attendees.
“There are three dead people from this incident, and there’s a total of five other victims having sustained some sort of injury from either shrapnel or gunshot wounds,” Mendez told reporters during a late-night press briefing.
The deceased were identified as Milo Christopher Suniga, 21, Christopher Juaquin Sproule, 21, and his brother, 17-year-old Damien Anthony Sproule. The injured include two women, aged 20 and 21, two men, aged 20 and 23, and a 16-year-old boy.
Authorities have detained several individuals for questioning, but no arrests had been made as of late Sunday night. Despite this, Officer Mendez assured that there was no ongoing threat to the public. “There are no apprehensions at the moment. There are quite a few people detained, and we’re trying to investigate whether they’re suspects, victims, witnesses, investigative leads,” he said.
Investigators are exploring whether rival groups were involved in the shooting. Mendez mentioned that authorities were working to determine the relationships among those involved.
He noted that the investigation includes establishing “whether they know each other, whether they’re related, whether they’re allies or opponents,” and said that this is what they were trying to figure out.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene when the gunfire began during what had been a family-friendly event. One individual told local NBC affiliate KPNX that they heard more than 20 shots over 15-20 seconds, followed by a pause and then about 10 more shots.
Bystander Lupe Rodriguez, who was near the scene, recounted the aftermath to AZ Family, saying, “I heard people yelling out names. There was a man on the ground and it didn’t look like he made it. His father was yelling out his name. It was pretty bad.”
Rodriguez said he had to flee to safety. Although shaken by the experience, he expressed relief that he and his friends were unharmed.
The same witness reported seeing paramedics performing chest compressions on three people, while another injured individual, who was conscious and breathing, was transported on a stretcher.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities describing it as an “enormous” scene that will likely take time to process. Police are urging anyone with information to contact the Glendale Police Department at 623-930-3000.
This incident took place as the community gathered to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, a holiday recognizing the Mexican army’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, which has become a significant celebration of Mexican-American culture in the United States.
El Camaron Gigante, meaning “The Giant Shrimp,” is a well-known local establishment offering seafood and steakhouse dishes.