Gunfire at a Cinco de Mayo event in Glendale, Arizona on the evening of May 4 resulted in three fatalities and five injuries. The incident took place at El Camaron Gigante, a local seafood restaurant and steakhouse, around 7:45 p.m.
Glendale Police Officer Moroni Mendez confirmed that authorities suspect the involvement of multiple shooters in the event, which occurred during a gathering of families and children celebrating the holiday. The restaurant is located directly across from the Glendale Police Department headquarters.
The shooting started following a confrontation between two groups during a concert attended by 200-300 people outside the restaurant.
“There are three dead people from this incident, and there’s a total of five other victims having sustained some sort of injury from either shrapnel or gunshot wounds,” Mendez told reporters during a late-night press briefing.
The deceased individuals were Milo Christopher Suniga, 21; Christopher Juaquin Sproule, 21; and his brother, 17-year-old Damien Anthony Sproule. The injured included two women, aged 20 and 21; two men, aged 20 and 23; and a 16-year-old boy.
Police detained several individuals for questioning, but no arrests had been made as of late Sunday night. Despite the absence of arrests, Officer Mendez assured that there was no ongoing threat to the public. “There are no apprehensions at the moment. There are quite a few people detained, and we’re trying to investigate whether they’re suspects, victims, witnesses, investigative leads,” he said.
Authorities are looking into the potential involvement of rival groups in the shooting. Mendez mentioned that investigators are working to determine the connections between those involved.
He explained that they were examining “whether they know each other, whether they’re related, whether they’re allies or opponents,” and said that’s what they were trying to figure out.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as shots were fired during what was intended to be a family-friendly event. A witness informed local NBC affiliate KPNX that they heard over 20 shots fired within 15-20 seconds, followed by a brief pause, then approximately 10 more shots.
Bystander Lupe Rodriguez, near the scene, recounted the aftermath to AZ Family, saying, “I heard people yelling out names. There was a man on the ground and it didn’t look like he made it. His father was yelling out his name. It was pretty bad.”
Rodriguez said he had to run to safety. While shaken by the experience, he expressed gratitude that he and his friends made it out alive.
The same witness reported seeing paramedics performing chest compressions on three individuals, while another injured person, who was conscious and breathing, was taken away on a stretcher.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities describing it as an “enormous” scene requiring significant time to process. Police have requested anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Glendale Police Department at 623-930-3000.
This incident occurred as many gathered to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, a holiday marking the Mexican army’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, which has become a popular celebration of Mexican-American culture in the United States.
El Camaron Gigante, meaning “The Giant Shrimp,” is a well-known local establishment for its seafood and steakhouse offerings.
