It's a neighborhood where gangs rule the streets & where security bars are on every window in every house, in every building and where children wouldn't dare play outside after sunset or where people wouldn't go out after dark. Despite living in such a rough area, Cruz Iram Felix Jr., 26, and his cousin Norberto Felix Valdez Jr., 20, by all accounts were good natured, hard working men that liked motorcycles.
On December 29th 2003 their motorcycles were stolen. Norberto saw a teenager riding his motorcycle through the neighborhood later that day. Instead of practicing street vigilantism that would be common in an area of that caliber he used the proper channels and quickly notified the authorities asking for their help. Working with the cousins, police recovered both bikes the next day on December 30th and arrested the two men suspected of stealing them from Cruz's garage. At about 3:42 pm, less than 30 minutes after officers returned the motorcycles to the cousins, a teenager carrying a gun walked down the sidewalk outside Cruz's home. The assailant shot Cruz in the head in the driveway of the home, killing him instantly. As Norberto tried in vain to defend his already dead cousin, the gunman continued shooting, hitting Norberto in the neck, arm and chest. One of the bullets pierced his lung and he died two hours later. Authorities believe Cruz, 26, and Norberto, 20, were targeted because they helped police find their stolen motorcycles and identify the suspects. The gunman, possibly a teenager, remains at large. He's described as a Black male, 18-28 years, short, thin build, long black coat, blue baseball cap & blue jeans last seen running southbound on 24th Street from Mobile Lane.
The relatives of Cruz Iram Felix Jr., and Norberto Felix Valdez Jr. were heartbroken to hear of their senseless and violent murders. The news sent shockwaves through the Phoenix area and caused frustration as the suspect has yet to be captured. Brisa Felix whose brother Cruz was gunned down says of the neighborhood where it happened, "People don't want to stand up because they're afraid for their lives. But if someone doesn't do it, (criminals) are going to run this whole city." Brisa pledged to echo the courage shown by her brother, Cruz Iram Felix Jr., and cousin Norberto Felix Valdez Jr., by rallying against the violence plaguing this community.
It's a neighborhood where gangs rule the streets & where security bars are on every window in every house, in every building and where children wouldn't dare play outside after sunset or where people wouldn't go out after dark. Despite living in such a rough area, Cruz Iram Felix Jr., 26, and his cousin Norberto Felix Valdez Jr., 20, by all accounts were good natured, hard working men that liked motorcycles.
On December 29th 2003 their motorcycles were stolen. Norberto saw a teenager riding his motorcycle through the neighborhood later that day. Instead of practicing street vigilantism that would be common in an area of that caliber he used the proper channels and quickly notified the authorities asking for their help. Working with the cousins, police recovered both bikes the next day on December 30th and arrested the two men suspected of stealing them from Cruz's garage. At about 3:42 pm, less than 30 minutes after officers returned the motorcycles to the cousins, a teenager carrying a gun walked down the sidewalk outside Cruz's home. The assailant shot Cruz in the head in the driveway of the home, killing him instantly. As Norberto tried in vain to defend his already dead cousin, the gunman continued shooting, hitting Norberto in the neck, arm and chest. One of the bullets pierced his lung and he died two hours later. Authorities believe Cruz, 26, and Norberto, 20, were targeted because they helped police find their stolen motorcycles and identify the suspects. The gunman, possibly a teenager, remains at large. He's described as a Black male, 18-28 years, short, thin build, long black coat, blue baseball cap & blue jeans last seen running southbound on 24th Street from Mobile Lane.
The relatives of Cruz Iram Felix Jr., and Norberto Felix Valdez Jr. were heartbroken to hear of their senseless and violent murders. The news sent shockwaves through the Phoenix area and caused frustration as the suspect has yet to be captured. Brisa Felix whose brother Cruz was gunned down says of the neighborhood where it happened, "People don't want to stand up because they're afraid for their lives. But if someone doesn't do it, (criminals) are going to run this whole city." Brisa pledged to echo the courage shown by her brother, Cruz Iram Felix Jr., and cousin Norberto Felix Valdez Jr., by rallying against the violence plaguing this community.
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