Prosecutors say an 18-year-old man faces murder and attempted murder charges after a May shooting that killed a pregnant teen and injured two others.
BUCKEYE, Ariz. — A pair of Arizona teenagers who had looked forward to raising their children together saw those plans destroyed after a May 14 shooting that left one girl and her unborn child dead, another pregnant teen seriously wounded, and a third woman fighting for her life, according to authorities.
Prosecutors have charged 18-year-old Michael Sanchez with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and other offenses in connection with the shooting. Investigators allege Sanchez killed his former girlfriend, 16-year-old Rylee Montgomery, and their unborn child outside a Buckeye home before turning a gun on two other women. The case has drawn attention across Arizona because of prior reports of alleged threats and questions about earlier police contacts involving the suspect and victim.
Authorities said officers responded to the home at about 8:15 p.m. on May 14 after reports of gunfire. When police arrived, they found Montgomery dead and discovered two additional women suffering from gunshot wounds. The injured victims were later identified by relatives and friends as 17-year-old Abby Krebs and 22-year-old Myah Hembree. Both were transported to hospitals in critical condition. Prosecutors allege Sanchez arrived at the residence after arguing with Montgomery for much of the day. According to accounts provided by family members, Montgomery went outside to speak with him before shots were fired. The violence unfolded just weeks after loved ones said Montgomery ended the relationship. Family members described the shooting as a sudden and devastating end to plans the teenagers had been making for their pregnancies and future families.
Friends and relatives said Montgomery was about three and a half months pregnant when she was killed. Krebs, who was six months pregnant, survived her injuries but underwent an emergency cesarean section after the shooting. Her son later died at six days old. Krebs told local media that she and Montgomery had imagined their children growing up together and becoming friends. Investigators have not publicly detailed the exact sequence of every shot fired or disclosed a complete account of what occurred in the moments before the attack. Authorities also have not released information about a possible motive beyond describing the suspect as Montgomery’s former boyfriend. Hembree remains hospitalized, and relatives have said she continues to face significant medical challenges. Officials have not released updated information about her long-term prognosis. The investigation remains active as detectives continue reviewing evidence and witness statements.
The shooting has also renewed scrutiny of earlier interactions involving Montgomery and Sanchez. Buckeye police said officers investigated an alleged assault report involving the pair on April 13. According to police, investigators interviewed both individuals but were unable to establish probable cause for an arrest because the accounts conflicted. During that inquiry, officers learned of a separate allegation in neighboring Avondale that Sanchez had threatened Montgomery with a firearm. Buckeye police notified Avondale authorities, who conducted their own investigation. Officials have not publicly disclosed whether any charges resulted from that allegation before the May shooting. The circumstances surrounding those earlier reports have become a point of public discussion as family members and community members seek answers about whether warning signs were missed. Law enforcement agencies have emphasized that the current homicide investigation is focused on the evidence surrounding the May 14 attack.
Following the shooting, investigators launched a search for Sanchez. Authorities said he was later arrested in Avondale with assistance from local officers and the U.S. Marshals Service. Prosecutors allege a second man, 19-year-old Antonio Tequida, helped Sanchez after the shooting. According to police, Tequida drove Sanchez to the residence and later transported him to another location where he allegedly attempted to avoid capture. A grand jury subsequently indicted Tequida on a charge of first-degree hindering prosecution. Court records indicate both defendants have pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors said Sanchez is being held without bond, while Tequida remains in custody on a $100,000 cash bond. Future court proceedings are expected to focus on evidence gathered from the crime scene, witness testimony and communications between the people involved. Authorities have not announced a trial date.
In the weeks since the shooting, family members and friends have remembered Montgomery as an excited expectant mother whose life ended before she could welcome her child. Krebs described conversations the two shared after learning they were both pregnant. She said they envisioned raising their children side by side and celebrating milestones together. Instead, loved ones have organized memorials and funeral arrangements while continuing to support the surviving victims. Relatives of Hembree have described her recovery as difficult but marked by determination. Community fundraising efforts have sought to help affected families cover medical and funeral expenses. The case has left a lasting impact on friends, classmates and relatives who say the victims were looking ahead to a future centered on motherhood and family. Those hopes now stand at the center of a criminal case that continues to move through Arizona’s court system.
The prosecution remains in its early stages, with both defendants awaiting further court proceedings. Investigators continue gathering evidence, while family members await additional developments in the case and updates on Hembree’s condition.
Author note: Last updated June 4, 2026.