Shooting in Rancho El Dorado Triggers Elementary School Lockdown; Police Launch Investigation

A shooting occurred this morning in Maricopa’s Rancho El Dorado subdivision, prompting a temporary lockdown at Pima Butte Elementary School. This marks the city’s fifth shooting related to vehicles since mid-March and the second in just 72 hours.

Maricopa Police Department Capt. Stephen Judd confirmed that officers responded at approximately 10:50 AM after receiving multiple 911 calls about an active shooting on Hillman Drive. Officers discovered evidence of gunfire, having struck both a residence and a vehicle parked nearby.

Upon securing the scene, police made contact with the home’s occupants, who were unharmed. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the immediate vicinity.

Capt. Judd stated that the suspects are known to the family living at the residence and fled the area in a vehicle. He assured the public that the incident appears to be targeted and poses no ongoing threat to the broader community.

Following the shooting report, Pima Butte Elementary School was placed on lockdown as a precaution.

Mishell Terry, a spokeswoman for the Maricopa Unified School District, explained, “We received notice from MPD to place our students in lockdown initially because somebody in the community reported something that sounded like gunshots.” She added, “A few minutes later, they gave us the all clear. Classes were still going on — we just secured the outside of the building.”

During the lockdown, parents gathered around the school as authorities worked to secure the area.

Principal Elizabeth Allison later assured parents that normal operations resumed, stating, “The location is secure, and classes will continue as normal.”

This incident raises alarms within the community, coming on the heels of several recent shootings, including the following:

• Maricopa teen Damian Logan charged with a drive-by shooting in March.
• Maricopa Meadows man allegedly fired shots on SR 347 in early April.
• Senita man reportedly shot a motorist in the hand on SR 347 in late April.
• Rancho Mirage man accused of shooting up a home in Tortosa last Saturday.
• Today’s shooting in Rancho El Dorado.

The investigation is still ongoing, and police urge anyone with information to contact the Maricopa Police Department.