Detectives say 5 homicides are likely related

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - Phoenix police say their investigators believe four homicide incidents that killed five people are linked.

Detectives say the shootings happened on weekend nights between 67th Avenue and McDowell to 55th Avenue and Campbell. They say there are similarities between the incidents that lead to believe that the same suspect(s) are responsible.

"We have five people dead, and we have one woman still in critical condition. We have a 12-year-old girl dead, so it's concerning to us," said Sgt. Jonathan Howard. 

On April 1, 2016 at 9 p.m. Diego Verdugo Sanchez was shot and killed outside his home near 55th Avenue and Campbell.

On June 3, 2016 at 9:50 p.m. Horacio De Jesues Pena was shot and killed outside of his home near 67th Avenue and Osborn.

On June 10, 2016 at 9:30 p.m. Manuel Castro Garcia was shot and killed outside his home near 67th Avenue and McDowell.

On June 12, 2016 at 3:00 a.m. Angela Linner and Maleah Ellis were shot and killed near their home near 59th Avenue and McDowell.

In the June 12 shooting, the suspect was described as a Hispanic male, 30-to-35-years-old, medium build, wearing red shorts, a white T-shirt, and armed with a semi-automatic gun. He was last seen driving a light colored four-door vehicle. 

Additional officers will be patrolling this area, but the police department is seeking tips from the public.

"We have dozens of officers that we've reassigned to our area of concern that are out there patrolling. They're contacting residents, working with businesses, and they're looking for anybody that has information," said Howard.

If you have any information you're asked to call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS. There is a reward of $11,000 for information leading to an arrest..