An exchange of gunfire outside a Chandler home killed a 19-year-old woman and wounded five people Sunday in a drive-by shooting that police believe was gang-related. Officers close to the investigation said the shooting that killed Lindsay Key, of Chandler, at 239 E. Erie St. involved Hispanic gangs.
Key was pronounced dead just after 12:30 a.m. when she was gunned down on the front porch of a house, police said. Five other people, all in their teens and early 20s, were shot and taken to local hospitals for injuries that were not life-threatening.
Police said a group of 20 to 30 people were gathered outside the home when a vehicle slowed or stopped out front and fired into the crowd. Shots were fired back.
Police spokesman Sgt. Rick Griner said no one has been arrested in connection with the shooting.
Griner said Key was simply a person who “was at the wrong place at the wrong time.”
He noted that gang-related crimes have been on the rise in the city, a former farm town whose population has grown exponentially over the years.
Neighbor Ricci Chappell said police in the community have told her there are gangs nearby, so she takes extra precautions.
“I don’t walk around here alone,” Chappell said. “Last night when I heard the gunshots, I was going to go outside, but I thought it wouldn’t be a good idea.”
One neighbor said she heard so many gunshots she lost count, while another, Sam Rodriguez, said he heard “pretty close to 40.” Police would not say how many casings were found or how many shots they believe were fired.
While investigators were collecting evidence, residents watched police mark evidence.
Many neighbors said young people often gathered at the home and drank alcohol in the front yard.
Griner said police are questioning people, but have no suspects or a vehicle description at this time.
“In dealing with this type of a situation, at that time of night, we are getting conflicting information and some people are not saying anything,” Griner said. “That’s what are investigators are dealing with.
“They picked this group (to shoot) for some reason, and that’s one of the things we are trying to figure out.”
Police ask anyone with information to call (480) 782-4130.
nomoretaco's posted at 2:40 pm on Fri, Feb 18, 2011.
this state really SUCKS! we need bad people off are streets!
it's time to get Sheriff JOE in and clean up this gang problem.
someone needs too!!