A woman was hospitalized after gunfire erupted during a private firearm transaction outside a Bass Pro Shops in Mesa.
MESA, Ariz. — A 16-year-old boy faces multiple felony charges after a private firearm sale in the parking lot of a Mesa Bass Pro Shops ended in gunfire Thursday afternoon, leaving a woman wounded, according to Mesa police.
The shooting happened shortly before 1:30 p.m. Sept. 24 outside the Bass Pro Shops near Dobson Road and the Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway. Police said the woman had arranged to sell a firearm to a man and the teenager. Multiple shots were fired after something went wrong during the transaction, though authorities have not publicly provided a complete account of what led to the gunfire or identified who fired each shot.
Officers responding to the parking lot found the woman suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. She was taken to a local hospital and remained under medical care as of Saturday afternoon, according to Arizona’s Family. Police have not publicly released her name or detailed her condition. No other injuries were reported.
The man and the 16-year-old were detained at the scene. Police later booked the teenager on multiple felony allegations, including armed robbery with a deadly weapon, aggravated robbery, theft of a firearm and trafficking in stolen property. He also faces two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, along with allegations of first-degree burglary while possessing a deadly weapon, unlawful discharge of a firearm, endangerment and weapons misconduct.
The charges are allegations, and the teenager has not been publicly identified. Police have not announced whether the adult man detained at the scene will face charges. Authorities also said charges involving the wounded woman are pending, but the nature of those possible allegations had not been publicly disclosed in the latest reporting.
Initial reports on the day of the shooting described the case as an isolated incident connected to a firearm transaction. Police said everyone believed to be involved had been detained and there were no outstanding suspects being sought. The Bass Pro Shops remained open during the investigation, and police said store employees were not involved or placed in danger.
The shooting drew a large police response to the shopping area as investigators worked in the parking lot. The incident occurred near the Mesa Riverview commercial district, close to the Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway. Early reports said the public was asked to avoid the immediate area while officers investigated.
Mesa Detective Robert Katz said after the shooting that people conducting private firearm transactions could use a federally licensed firearms dealer as an intermediary. Police also said Mesa police stations have designated areas in their parking lots where members of the public can conduct transactions.
The investigation remains active as detectives work to establish the circumstances surrounding the exchange and gunfire. The woman remained hospitalized in the latest update, while the 16-year-old had been booked on felony allegations. Authorities had not announced charges against the adult man detained at the scene.
Author note: Last updated September 27, 2026.