An altercation at a Taco Bell drive-thru line escalated into a fatal shooting on Sunday, February 11, 2024, resulting in the death of 24-year-old Adrian Garduno. The incident happened around 1:30 p.m. near Prasada Parkway and Waddell Road in Surprise, Arizona.
The Surprise Police Department (SPD), Arizona, reported that the conflict started with an argument between individuals in two different cars in the drive-thru lane. Garduno, present in one of the cars, exited his vehicle and pointed a firearm at the individuals in the other vehicle. In response, a male adult from the second vehicle retaliated by shooting multiple times at Garduno, hitting him repeatedly.
When officers reached the scene, they found Garduno suffering from gunshot injuries. Despite immediate medical attention, Garduno was declared dead at the scene. The shooter stayed on the scene and cooperated with the police. He was released without charges after being questioned, pending further investigation.
The SPD has forwarded the case to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for review. No other injuries were reported from this incident, and currently, there are no other suspects. The authorities have not disclosed further information regarding the identities of the other individuals involved or the cause of the initial argument.
This incident underscores the potential dangers of public disputes, especially those involving firearms. The SPD stresses the importance of conflict de-escalation and urges the community to seek the help of law enforcement agencies when necessary.
The Taco Bell vicinity was cordoned off as a crime scene, with detectives gathering evidence and conducting interviews to uncover the specifics of the altercation.
No statement has been issued by the fast-food chain in response to the shooting. The local Taco Bell was temporarily closed following the incident. There has been no suggestion of an ongoing public threat in the surrounding area.
