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15-year-old dead after being shot in west Phoenix, suspect arrested

The teenage victim was fatally shot Saturday night near 43rd Avenue and Thomas Road.

PHOENIX — A teenager has died after being shot in west Phoenix, officials with the Phoenix Police Department reported. 

At around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, police received reports of a shooting near a convenience store at the intersection of 43rd Avenue and Thomas Road. 

Police said the teen was shot while leaving the parking lot of the convenience store with other juveniles. Several rounds were fired in the direction of the group and one struck the victim. The teen was taken to the hospital by the others following the shooting.

The deceased victim has been identified as 15-year-old Bryan Perez.

At about the same time, officers were called to the hospital for reports of a juvenile with a gunshot wound.

Police said the two calls were connected as part of the same investigation, and homicide detectives responded to take over.

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Julian Francisco Soto, 18, has been arrested and booked into jail in connection to the shooting.

Soto worked as a clerk at the convenience store and was allegedly chasing after suspected shoplifters when he shot the teenager, court records show. 

Silent Witness: 

Arizona's Silent Witness program allows people to send in tips and share information about crimes happening within their local communities. 

The program shares unsolved felony case information in multiple ways, including TV, radio and social media. 

Anyone who has information on a crime or recognizes a suspect described by the program is asked to call 480-948-6377, go to the program's website online or download the Silent Witness app to provide a tip. The identity of anyone who submits a tip is kept anonymous. 

Calls to Silent Witness are answered 24/7 by a live person and submitted tips are accepted at all times. Submitted tips are then sent to the detective(s) in charge of the specific case. 

Individuals who submit tips that lead to an arrest or indictment in the case can get a reward of up to $1,000. 

Have a tip? Submit it on the Silent Witness tip form here. 

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