Phoenix Police Department(PHOENIX) — A 20-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly gunning down a 10-year-old girl in what police called an apparent road rage killing, authorities said.
Joshua Gonzalez was booked on one count of first-degree murder and three counts of aggravated assault in connection with the slaying of 10-year-old Summerbell Brown, Phoenix police said Friday. The truck and weapon believed to be involved in the shooting were also recovered, police said.
The shooting unfolded at about 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, when 10-year-old Summerbell was in the car with her sister and parents on their way home, according to Phoenix police.
As the family reached their street, the girl’s father, who was driving, “thought he was going to be able to make that turn and avoid the approaching white truck,” Phoenix Police Sgt. Vince Lewis told ABC News.
“He got very close,” Lewis said, but there was no collision.
Then the truck followed the family’s car very closely, Lewis said.
“As soon as the truck was behind the victim, he stayed relatively close, as if he was intentionally following the victim,” Lewis said.
As the family turned into their driveway, the truck stopped behind them, Lewis said.
“I got out of my vehicle,” Summerbell’s father, Dharquintium Brown, later told reporters. “I asked him, ‘What’s going on?’ And he just got to firing.”
The suspect, who never exited his car during the shooting, fled the scene.
Summerbell, who had been sitting behind the driver’s seat, was shot and pronounced dead at the hospital, police said.
Dharquintium Brown on Thursday told reporters he “watched her eyes roll in the back of her head. And I pray nobody has to experience that.”
“She died in front of me,” he said.
Dharquintium Brown was also shot and suffered a non-life-threatening injury, police said. Summerbell’s mother and sister were not hurt.
“This is heartbreaking … that I lost my baby like this,” Summerbell’s mother, Taniesha Brown, told reporters Thursday, overcome with emotion.
“There was no reason for her to be taken like this. I wish it was me instead of my baby,” Taniesha Brown said.
“This nightmare’s going to be playing in my head every day,” she said. “I just really hope she’s at peace.”
Lewis said the suspect and victims likely did not know each other.
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