A 51-year-old man, Daniel E. Saiz, was shot and killed early Saturday morning during a home invasion at an apartment complex near 36th Street and Thomas Road in east Phoenix, police said. An armed suspect forced entry and opened fire inside the residence before fleeing, and authorities have opened a homicide investigation into Saiz’s death.
The shooting occurred just before 4 a.m. Saturday at an apartment complex near 36th Street and Thomas Road in east Phoenix, according to Phoenix police. Authorities said an armed suspect forced entry into the residence and opened fire on Daniel E. Saiz, who was inside the unit at the time. Emergency responders arrived shortly after the shooting and attempted life-saving measures, but Saiz was pronounced dead at the scene before he could be transported to a hospital.
Phoenix Police Department officials confirmed that homicide detectives have taken over the investigation into the killing.
They characterized the incident as a home invasion homicide and said the suspect fled the scene after the shooting. No description of the gunman has been released to the public, and police have not identified a motive or any connection between Saiz and the suspect. The department is conducting a manhunt to locate the individual responsible.
Officials said the apartment complex consists of multiple residential units, but they have not disclosed the specific unit number or interior layout of the apartment where the shooting occurred. Police have not reported any indication that Saiz was armed or exchanged gunfire with the suspect. Investigators are working to determine why the home was targeted and whether there is any prior relationship between the victim and the assailant.
The Phoenix Police Department has not released further details about the investigation, including whether ballistic evidence, surveillance footage, or witness interviews have been obtained. Authorities emphasized that the case remains active and ongoing.
Police described the incident as a deadly intrusion and noted that the suspect remains at large, raising public safety concerns in the area. Residents near 36th Street and Thomas Road have been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement. The department is asking anyone who saw or heard anything unusual around the time of the shooting to come forward. Tips can be submitted directly to the Phoenix Police Department or through Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS, with Spanish-language tips accepted at 480-TESTIGO.
This case adds to a series of home invasion and robbery-related shootings in the Phoenix area, officials said. Police have underscored the importance of community cooperation in solving violent crimes of this nature. So far, there have been no indications of a broader threat to the apartment complex beyond this specific incident.
No arrests have been announced, and police have not disclosed whether any weapons or physical evidence linked to the suspect have been recovered. The investigation will remain under the jurisdiction of homicide detectives until the suspect is identified, located, and the circumstances surrounding Saiz’s death are fully established.
Comments are closed.