A 26-year-old man who carried out violent attacks on homeless individuals in a Phoenix park has been sentenced to 19 years in prison, according to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO).
Isaiah Adams, who was already out on pretrial release for previous drug charges, launched a brutal assault in June 2024 when he kicked a homeless man awake at a bus stop near La Pradera Park—located at 39th and Glendale avenues—before shooting him in the back as the man tried to flee. The victim was left permanently paralyzed from the attack.
Just over a week later, Adams was involved in a second violent encounter with another homeless individual, this time firing at least nine rounds and hitting the victim in the foot.
Authorities arrested Adams 10 days after the second incident. At the time, he was found driving a stolen vehicle and in possession of illegal drugs.
“He didn’t just commit random acts of violence—he deliberately chose to target the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. “He shot, paralyzed, and terrorized people who were simply trying to survive. That level of cruelty is both cowardly and unacceptable in our county.”
Adams ultimately pleaded guilty to four felony charges, including aggravated assault, armed robbery, and two drug offenses. After completing his 19-year prison sentence, he will face an additional four years of supervised parole.
The case highlights a disturbing pattern of targeted violence against those experiencing homelessness, as well as the dangers posed by repeat offenders who violate the terms of their release.
