Crime
Murder-Suicide: Teens killed in Tonto Basin shooting after fight identified
Preliminary findings suggest that alcohol was a factor in the incident.
A second teenager has died following a tragic shooting in a remote area near Tonto Basin, Northern Arizona, over the weekend.
The victims have been identified as 15-year-old Easton Proffitt, a sophomore at Perry High School in Gilbert, and 15-year-old Colten Boyle, who resided near Payson.
The Gila County Sheriff’s Office reported that a group of seven individuals, aged 15 to 20, was gathered at a home approximately 12 miles east of Tonto Basin on Saturday night. Authorities stated that all but one member of the group had been drinking.
At around 11 p.m., an altercation reportedly escalated, during which a 15-year-old shot another 15-year-old before turning the gun on himself. Both boys suffered gunshot wounds to the head.
One teen was pronounced deceased at the scene, while the other was airlifted to a trauma center in Phoenix. Despite medical efforts, the second teen succumbed to his injuries on Sunday afternoon, according to the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner.
The Gila County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Unit is actively working to determine the events leading up to the shooting. At this time, it remains unclear which boy was the shooter and which was the victim.
Authorities revealed that one individual in the group was from the Phoenix metropolitan area, while the rest were residents of the Payson and Tonto Basin region.
The shooting occurred in a secluded area approximately an hour and a half northeast of Phoenix. The tragedy has left the community grappling with grief as questions linger about what transpired.
Statement sent to Perry High School families on Monday:
Dear Perry Pumas,
The administration, faculty and staff of Perry High School regret to inform you of the death of one of our 10th grade students, Easton Proffitt. As a community, we are grieving Easton’s death. Traumatic events can be difficult and, like adults, youth express emotions by grieving. Yet, youth may not demonstrate grief in the same manner as adults. The following information is provided for parents, guardians, and others who may find themselves in a position of guiding a youth through the grieving process. In addition, if your student needs extra assistance, the district’s crisis response team, school counselors and social workers are available to provide services.
Please know that our district crisis response team, school counselors and social workers are available now and throughout the year to help those who need assistance. Please contact us at (480) 224-2800 to be connected with a member of the counseling team.
Our thoughts go out to the Proffitt family during this difficult time of loss and grief, thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Heather Patterson
Principal
Perry High School
Further information has not been released as the investigation continues.
Indio, CA – A 26-year-old man, identified as Lorenzo Segoviano, was shot and killed outside the Food 4 Less store in Indio on Saturday evening, according to the Indio Police Department.
Authorities responded to reports of a shooting around 5:40 p.m. at the shopping center.
Upon arrival, first responders located Segoviano suffering from a gunshot wound.
Despite immediate life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Preliminary investigations revealed that an altercation occurred inside the store between Segoviano and the suspect.
The situation escalated from a verbal dispute to a physical confrontation outside the store.
During the altercation, the suspect allegedly produced a firearm, prompting Segoviano to attempt to flee.
As Segoviano was running away, the suspect fired multiple shots, striking him.
Segoviano collapsed shortly after and succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Witnesses reported seeing the suspect fleeing southeast from the location.
Indio police officers quickly responded and detained a 19-year-old male suspect within the shopping center vicinity.
He was subsequently booked into the John Benoit Detention Center on charges of murder.
The suspect is scheduled for arraignment on Wednesday and is currently held at the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta on $1 million bail.
The investigation remains active. Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Indio Police Department at (760) 391-4057.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted through local crime stoppers channels.