Victims of steakhouse shooting in Arizona identified
GLENDALE, Ariz. (CNN, KYMA/KECY) - Police in Glendale has identified the victims in the steakhouse shooting which claimed the lives of at least three people.
"At this point, I'm numb. I miss them," said Jessica Ortega, sister of Christopher and Damien Sproule.
Christopher, 21, and Damien, 17, were both shot and killed Sunday night in the mass shooting.
"They were both fathers. We don't know what happened. We were only told that they were in an argument inside the event," Ortega shared.
Glendale police got a call just before 8:00 p.m. for shots fired outside El Camaron Gigante Restaurant near Glendale and 59th Avenue.
Officers say it started as an argumentand quickly escalated.
On Monday, Ortega is struggling to understand how two pillars of her family are gone.
"I haven't slept. I got a call from the medical examiner at 8 o'clock this morning, letting me know that my brother's autopsies will be done tomorrow and that we need to hurry and pick a funeral home," Ortega spoke.
The shooting happened at the On A Sunday Afternoon (OASA) event, which is part of the lowrider community.
"They were only there because they had gotten into a new hobby...lowriders. My brothers were trying to make friends so that they could get their cars out there," Ortega explained.
"It's painful seeing that. It's so painful, bro. We were all having a good time," said Robert Mandell, who is best friends with the third victim, 21-year-old Milo Suniga. "My friend got in between them and told them to back up and chill out."
Mandell says Suniga saw the fight and tried to jump in and intervene. He claims the new father was only trying to help and got caught in the crossfire.
"He had a chest patch right here, so he got shot in the chest. It just broke my heart," Mandell expressed.
Following the shooting, OASA posted to social media saying in part, "OASA was built for love and connection—never violence. We won't let this define us, but we won’t ignore it either. Our thoughts remain with those grieving, and our commitment to our community has never been stronger."
To read their statement, click here.
