A man was arrested and booked after a Saturday morning shooting in Mesa that left another man dead, police investigators said. The suspect, identified as 32-year-old John Lozada, faces a charge of second-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting of the man, who was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Officers were dispatched at about 4 a.m. after multiple callers in the area of University Drive and Greenfield Road reported hearing gunfire. Investigators sealed off a residential street as they worked the scene, directing traffic and interviewing witnesses as evidence was photographed and collected.
Mesa police command vehicle and officers block a residential street near University Drive and Greenfield Road as investigators responded Saturday morning to a reported shooting.
Detectives determined that several people had been socializing and drinking for most of the night inside an apartment where Lozada lived with his brother. At some point, Lozada told investigators he went to sleep for a couple of hours. He said he later woke up to loud noises coming from the unit and grabbed a handgun before stepping into the living room.
According to the account obtained by investigators, an argument quickly escalated when Lozada’s brother became upset and began striking him in the side and stomach. During the confrontation, the brother attempted to pull Lozada by the shoulders as Lozada tried to leave the room. Lozada then broke free, reached into his pocket, produced a firearm and shot the victim in the stomach.
The wounded man was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition. He later succumbed to his injuries, investigators reported. Authorities noted that Lozada did not have visible injuries when officers arrived at the scene.
A Ford pickup with its door open sits behind yellow police tape and evidence cones at the Mesa crime scene near University Drive and Greenfield Road; a suspect was later arrested and booked.
Lozada was taken into custody and booked into the county jail on one count of second-degree murder in connection with the death. Investigators processed the apartment and the surrounding area, collecting physical evidence and speaking with witnesses who were present during the overnight gathering.
Authorities have not released additional details about the relationship between the parties beyond noting that the suspect and the victim lived together, or any information about possible scheduled court appearances or bond. The investigation remains active as detectives continue to gather evidence and complete their report.