Police are investigating a multi-scene shooting that left three men dead and two others injured in south Phoenix.
PHOENIX, Ariz. — Three men were killed and two others were injured after an apparent home invasion led to a shooting in south Phoenix on Tuesday night, according to police. The violence unfolded across several locations near 24th Street and Southern Avenue and remains under active investigation.
Authorities say the case has become a complex homicide investigation involving multiple crime scenes, several victims and unanswered questions about how all five individuals were connected. Detectives are examining whether the shooting was legally justified under Arizona self-defense laws and whether any criminal charges could result from actions that occurred before or during the confrontation.
Police said the incident began shortly after 9 p.m. when officers received reports of gunfire in a neighborhood near 23rd Street and Lynne Lane. As officers responded, they encountered what appeared to be a connected two-vehicle collision nearby and found a man suffering from a gunshot wound. At nearly the same time, a second wounded man was discovered outside a nearby fast-food restaurant. Investigators later determined that both injured men were linked to the same chain of events. Detectives traced the violence back to a residence where gunfire had erupted during what authorities described as an apparent break-in. Emergency crews responded to multiple locations as officers secured the area and began piecing together a timeline of what occurred.
According to investigators, two men entered the residence and at least one of them was armed. Police said a resident inside the home responded with gunfire. During the confrontation, the resident reportedly left the immediate area but returned after hearing a family member calling for help. Authorities said two men believed to have entered the home were later found dead inside the residence. A third man was shot during the sequence of events and was discovered dead in a nearby alley. Detectives have not publicly explained the exact role of that individual or whether he entered the residence. The two surviving victims were transported to hospitals and are expected to recover. Officers initially detained one person for questioning but later determined that individual was not a suspect. Investigators have emphasized that many details remain subject to verification as witness interviews continue.
The shooting drew widespread attention across south Phoenix because of the number of locations involved and the uncertainty surrounding several key facts. Crime-scene investigators spent hours documenting evidence at the residence, the alley where the third victim was found and nearby roadways connected to the case. Police identified the deceased men as David Rashad, 40, Davontae Fletcher, 20, and Steven Brooks, 23. Authorities have not publicly described the relationships among the three men or explained why they were at the residence before the shooting. Neighbors reported seeing a large law enforcement presence throughout the night as streets were partially closed and detectives photographed evidence. Investigators also reviewed surveillance footage from nearby businesses and collected statements from witnesses in an effort to reconstruct the movements of everyone involved.
As the investigation moves forward, detectives are expected to submit their findings to prosecutors for review. Authorities must determine whether the resident’s actions fall within Arizona’s self-defense statutes and whether any additional crimes occurred leading up to the confrontation. Forensic specialists are examining firearms evidence, ballistic trajectories and communications records that may help clarify the sequence of events. Police have not announced any pending charges and have not provided a timeline for when the investigation will be completed. Officials said additional information could be released after witness interviews are finished and forensic testing is reviewed. Any decision regarding criminal liability will be made after prosecutors receive a complete investigative file.
Hours after the shooting, flashing emergency lights illuminated residential streets while investigators moved between connected scenes. Residents gathered behind police tape seeking information about what had happened in their neighborhood. Family members and neighbors watched as detectives documented vehicles, photographed evidence markers and maintained security around the area. Police officials described the incident as a tragic event that resulted in multiple deaths and injuries. Witness accounts gathered overnight have produced differing descriptions of the confrontation, according to investigators. Those differences have become a central focus of the inquiry as detectives attempt to determine precisely how the violence unfolded and what role each individual played in the events leading up to the shooting.
Authorities continue to process evidence and conduct interviews as the investigation remains active. For now, three men are dead, two others are recovering from injuries and several critical questions remain unresolved while detectives work toward a clearer understanding of what occurred on Tuesday night.
Author note: Last updated June 23, 2026.