Revelations Emerge in Police Shooting That Claimed Life of 17-Year-Old Boy

The Maricopa Police Department has disclosed new details surrounding the officer-involved shooting that occurred on June 28, 2023, resulting in the death of a teenager on the Gila River Indian Community. This information includes the partial identification of another minor involved and indicates that the three suspects, two of whom were minors, were under the influence of meth at the time of the incident.

Following permission from the FBI, the MPD released 46 pages of police reports related to the fatal confrontation between Cpl. Joshua Fox and an unnamed 17-year-old. The report sheds light on the criminal charges, injuries, and police response linked to the shooting.

Included in these documents are charges against Jose Martinez, 20, and the previously unnamed 17-year-old now identified as Enrique. The police report reveals that Sgt. Michael Ewald was dispatched to Seville Drive in Tortosa at 1:29 a.m. after receiving a 9-1-1 call regarding a vehicle burglary.

The caller reported being threatened with murder by the suspects, which prompted Ewald to proceed with caution. Upon arrival, he observed three males, clad in black jackets and wearing bandanas, allegedly rummaging through two cars. When Ewald activated his emergency lights, the suspects tried to flee. While Enrique was apprehended, his accomplices evaded capture.

Though police narratives from the involved officers were not included in this release, body-worn camera footage previously shared shows the aftermath of the shooting, with Officer Zakery Louis applying a tourniquet on Cpl. Fox.

As the situation escalated, Officer Trevor Burns, who had been with Ewald and Enrique, heard gunshots and returned to the scene. He found Fox injured, struggling to walk with a tourniquet on his leg. Burns transported Fox to the Maricopa Fire and Medical Department, where he was subsequently moved to an ambulance.

Meanwhile, Cpl. Cory Benoit reported locating Martinez, who had been shot and was laying on the ground handcuffed. A handgun was found near him, and he appeared to have suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Despite medical efforts, the teenager died while being transported to Chandler Regional Hospital.

The FBI has joined the investigation since the incident occurred on Gila River Indian Community land. Access was granted to Fox’s body-camera footage, and investigations revealed various accounts from the suspects about their intentions on the night of the shooting.

Enrique, in his statement to the police, indicated that he and the others planned to steal a car to visit his child, recounting their unsuccessful attempts to break into a number of vehicles. Both he and Martinez admitted to drug use prior to their arrest.

Subsequent charges against the surviving minor Enrique include five counts of burglary and various other charges related to drug possession and delinquency. Martinez faces similar charges totaling multiple counts of burglary and other related offenses.

The MPD is currently awaiting approval to release additional body-camera footage, audio from the 9-1-1 calls, and relevant crime scene photographs, according to Maricopa Records Administrator Andy Juarez.