PHOENIX — A man is dead following a shooting outside a Peoria business late Tuesday night, and police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to Peoria Police, 46-year-old Mario Franco of El Mirage was shot and killed after allegedly firing a handgun outside a business near 9600 W. Peoria Avenue.
Officers were initially responding to a call from an employee who said Franco was intoxicated and had refused to leave. Before police arrived, Franco reportedly retrieved a gun from his vehicle and fired several shots into the air and into the establishment.
Moments later, authorities received a separate 911 call about a person being shot in the thigh.
Franco allegedly then pointed his firearm at two male witnesses. A shootout occurred, during which Franco was struck in the chest. The two men were not injured.
When officers arrived, they found Franco seated in the passenger seat of his black 2020 BMW 330i, with the two men holding their weapons pointed toward him. The men complied with officers and were disarmed and detained at the scene.
Police provided aid to Franco until Peoria Fire-Medical crews arrived, but lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The individual shot in the leg was transported to a hospital, treated, and later released.
Authorities say this appears to be an isolated incident. No arrests have been made as the investigation continues.
