A random shooting spree in Arizona led to the death of four people and injured another.
Police arrested 20-year-old Iren Byers following a series of random shootings. Byers is facing charges of four counts of first-degree murder and one of attempted murder. Authorities arrested him on Saturday, May 27, after identifying him in video footage near the shooting locations captured on Friday and Saturday. Upon arrest, Byers confessed to the shootings.
The gunfire took place at various locations, with one fatality in Phoenix on Friday afternoon, and three fatalities, along with one injury, in Mesa between late Friday and early Saturday. The injured victim, a 36-year-old woman, was found in stable condition at the intersection of Main and Stewart Streets in Mesa, suffering from gunshot wounds. Detective Brandi George, a police spokesperson, reported that the victim is scheduled to undergo surgery due to her serious injuries.
Authorities suspect that Byers had multiple motives for the shootings, which seemed to have been carried out randomly. They also believe there may be underlying mental health issues. Byers told detectives he shot the injured woman because she angered him during their conversation. According to the probable cause statement, Byers shot her in the face and fired another round because she hadn’t yet died.
Byers claimed to have encountered the Phoenix male victim near North 24th Street and Thomas Road. He told police he shot the man in the head because the man was using fentanyl, a drug Byers despises due to his brother’s history. He mentioned that the victim was unarmed and posed no threat, and that he departed the scene on a bus after he shot him.
The three deceased victims in Mesa, all 41 years old, were found at Beverly Park, on South Country Club Road near a bus station, and on South Extension Road. Byers allegedly provided explanations for each killing. He said he fatally shot one victim because the man was discussing “blues” (a street term for counterfeit fentanyl pills). Byers claimed he shot another victim because the man preferred fentanyl pills and Byers preferred smoke marijuana. The third victim was allegedly targeted because he was homeless and unfamiliar to the area. Byers reportedly chased this victim down a hill, continuing to shoot at him.
Byers admitted to not seeking medical aid for any of his victims, claiming they did not deserve help.
Police identified the shooter in surveillance footage from various cameras, all of which showed him wearing the same clothing as described by witnesses at the time of the shootings. The National Integrated Ballistic Information Network has matched spent shell casings found at most of the crime scenes to the same handgun.
Along with his arrest, officers also charged Byers with trespassing on railroad tracks. During questioning, Byers confessed to the shootings and disclosed the location of the clothes he wore during the crimes and the handgun he used. A subsequent search of his home yielded the items.
Byers is currently being held without bond.
