Mesa High School and several other Mesa Public Schools were placed on lockdown on February 1, 2025, following reports of an armed robbery near Crismon Road and Apache Trail. Officials said the lockdowns were a precaution during a manhunt for Thomas Zavala, who was armed and involved in multiple robberies in the area.
The lockdowns began shortly after an armed robbery was reported at approximately 6 a.m. near the intersection of Crismon Road and Apache Trail in Mesa, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). Authorities said two suspects arrived at the scene on a stolen golf cart, one of whom was armed with an AR-style rifle. The armed suspect fired multiple rounds into an occupied business during the robbery, prompting an immediate law enforcement response and a subsequent manhunt in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Thomas Zavala, 40, was identified as the primary suspect involved in the incident.
MCSO records show Zavala admitted to burglarizing a home in Mesa, where he stole rifles and the golf cart used during the robbery. He also confessed to a second armed robbery at Holsum Bakery in Apache Junction, where he pointed a rifle at an employee and demanded money. After fleeing the initial robbery scene, Zavala crashed a stolen vehicle near the intersection of Hawes and McKellips roads, triggering an extensive search by deputies.
Deputies from the MCSO responded to the first robbery call and coordinated the manhunt throughout the morning. Sergeant Joaquin Enriquez documented the suspect’s movements and actions during the investigation. The stolen golf cart was recovered near 105th Place and University Drive, while the vehicle crash site near Hawes and McKellips became a focal point for law enforcement activity. Zavala was taken into custody after hours of pursuit and was subsequently interviewed by detectives, who obtained full confessions regarding the crimes.
Mesa Public Schools implemented lockdowns at Mesa High School, as well as Taft Elementary, Smith Junior High, and Zaharis Elementary. Officials said the lockdowns were precautionary measures during the active manhunt to ensure student and staff safety. Campus officials were alerted by Murrieta police around 10:45 a.m. about the investigation involving an armed suspect in the area. The lockdowns remained in place until Zavala was apprehended.
In a related development, a Mesa Public Schools security guard reported that school administrators prevented him from contacting police after a separate report of a gun on the Mesa High School campus during the same timeframe. According to the security guard’s account, he investigated the report and communicated with a fellow security guard and the school resource officer, but was allegedly blocked by administrators from calling law enforcement. The guard accused two school officials of failing to report a fight involving a firearm to police, raising concerns about internal protocols for handling weapons on campus.
Mesa Public Schools confirmed that the administrative actions surrounding the incident are under review. The district said it is investigating the allegations that administrators prevented police notification and that the circumstances require further clarification. The identities of the administrators involved have not been publicly released pending the outcome of the investigation.
The manhunt and lockdowns caused significant disruption across East Valley neighborhoods and educational facilities, affecting hundreds of students and prompting emergency protocols in multiple school districts. Parents were notified of the lockdowns during the morning hours, and law enforcement emphasized the precautionary nature of the school closures.
MCSO detectives completed interviews with Zavala and gathered evidence supporting his confessions. The agency continues to coordinate with Mesa Public Schools to review safety procedures and communication between school officials and law enforcement during critical incidents. Ongoing accountability measures related to the administrative handling of the weapons report at Mesa High School are anticipated as part of the district’s response.
The armed robbery and subsequent manhunt highlight the challenges faced by law enforcement and school officials in responding to rapidly evolving threats in the community. Investigations into both the criminal acts and the school district’s internal response remain active as authorities work to ensure public safety and clarify protocols for future incidents.
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