In Glendale, Arizona, police responded to a shooting call around 2:30 p.m. on November 20, near the intersection of 51st Avenue and Northern. Upon arrival, officers discovered two individuals, 69-year-old Richard Hodakievic and 24-year-old Jaquey James, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Tragically, both victims succumbed to their injuries.
The suspect, 26-year-old Dominic Celaya, was apprehended in connection with the shooting. At the time of his arrest, Celaya was found hiding under a pile of compost in a backyard, with a police K-9 unit ultimately used to take him into custody.
According to court documents, the events leading up to the shooting involved Celaya and his girlfriend. While riding in a car, the two engaged in a physical argument. Celaya subsequently exited the vehicle, fired two shots into the air, and then approached Hodakievic and James at a nearby bus stop, where he shot them several times.
Witness accounts corroborated the sequence of events. Jim Ray, a local resident, reported hearing a total of eight gunshots and discovered the victims lying on the ground. Quinton Mitchell, another witness, described seeing a young man in a red hoodie crossing the street towards the bus stop before the shooting occurred.
Police officials have indicated that there appears to be no prior connection between Celaya and the victims, deeming the act as seemingly random. Celaya has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of unlawful discharge of a firearm. He is currently detained on a $1 million cash bond.
The aftermath of the shooting has deeply affected the community, including the family of Jaquey James. James, a father to a three-year-old girl, was remembered by his father as a talented young man with promising prospects in music and art. The family has established a GoFundMe to support them during this difficult time.
The incident also led to a tense situation for local residents Albert and Sharon Lardeo. Their home surveillance camera captured footage of Celaya hiding in their backyard, leading to a significant police presence and safety concerns.
This tragic event has raised alarm among residents about safety in the area, with some expressing increased apprehension following the shooting. Clinton Mitchell, who witnessed the incident, voiced his concern, particularly for his parents living nearby.
