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Mesa 16-year-old indicted after shots fired outside Halloween party
Jesus Figueroa faces attempted-murder and other charges over an Oct. 10 shooting outside a private party in Mesa, police say. He was shot by an off-duty officer and a security guard and is being held on $1 million bond.
A 16-year-old has been indicted on multiple felony charges after police say he opened fire outside a private Halloween party in Mesa earlier this month.
Jesus Figueroa was indicted on charges including attempted murder, aggravated assault and unlawful discharge of a firearm, the Mesa Police Department said Oct. 26. He is being held on $1 million bond and is due back in court in January.
Police say Figueroa tried to enter a private event at Versalles Reception Hall, near East Main Street and North Lazona Drive, on Oct. 10. After he was turned away, he allegedly pointed a gun at a security guard and fired. The guard was not hit, according to police.
Authorities say Figueroa then ran toward a nearby car while continuing to shoot. An off-duty Mesa police officer working security and the venue’s guard pursued him and fired back, striking Figueroa and a man seated inside the car. Both were wounded; the man survived. Figueroa, despite being shot, ran across Main Street and was taken into custody by an on-duty patrol officer, police said.
Police said Arizona law allows a juvenile to be publicly identified when charged with first-degree murder, and that 15-, 16- and 17-year-olds are automatically prosecuted as adults for certain major violent felonies. Figueroa’s indictment includes attempted murder charges, police said.