Two Arrested After Phoenix Drive-By Shooting and Crash on I-17

Two Suspects Arrested After North Phoenix Drive-By Shooting and Crash

Two people were arrested on Wednesday in connection with a drive-by shooting that led to a rollover crash in north Phoenix on January 17.

Court documents identify the suspects as 30-year-old Johnathan Scott Rangel and his 31-year-old girlfriend, Kendra Lee Wieser. Both are facing multiple charges related to the incident.

Incident on Black Canyon Access Road and I-17

According to court records, the incident began at about 6:40 p.m. on January 17. Two victims, a man and a woman, were driving north on the Black Canyon Access Road, just north of Peoria Avenue in Phoenix, when a vehicle occupied by Rangel and Wieser allegedly blocked two lanes of traffic.

Court papers state that Rangel and Wieser then fired guns at the man and woman in the victims’ vehicle. Investigators reported that the male victim, who was in the passenger seat, managed to call 911 while the driver began backing out and attempting to leave the area. As they tried to get away, they were followed and continued to be fired upon while driving the wrong way.

Authorities say the suspects caught up with the victims a short time later on Interstate 17 near the Greenway Road exit, where more shots were fired. The victims then exited I-17 at Pinnacle Peak Road, believing their tires had been shot.

Rollover Crash and Dog Killed

At the Pinnacle Peak Road exit, the victims’ SUV rolled over. Court documents report that the man and woman suffered minor injuries in the crash. The rollover killed their 10-year-old German Shepherd dog.

Detectives reviewing the victims’ SUV located two bullet impact points on the vehicle that had struck the tires. Investigators also obtained surveillance video from a nearby hotel along the Black Canyon Access Road, which reportedly showed the shooting taking place.

Victim Identification and Alleged Motive

Investigators reviewed a copy of the 911 call, which recorded the victims stating that they knew who was shooting at them. According to court records, one of the victims identified Rangel as the driver and Wieser as the passenger in the suspect vehicle.

The victim told investigators they believed the shooting was in retaliation over stolen drugs involving the father of the injured woman. Court paperwork also states that Wieser later told detectives the incident was over $2,500 that she said the victims stole from Rangel.

Arrests and Statements to Detectives

Rangel and Wieser were located at an apartment complex near 16th Avenue and Glendale Avenue in Phoenix, where both were taken into custody on Wednesday.

During an interview with detectives, Wieser admitted being in the vehicle with Rangel and said she leaned out and fired two rounds toward the victims, according to court documents. She stated that they followed the victims to Pinnacle Peak Road, where the crash occurred, and denied firing additional shots.

Rangel told investigators he had been at his mother’s house the entire day of the incident and denied owning the truck seen in security camera footage, according to the records.

Charges and Bond

Court records show that Wieser was booked into the Maricopa County jail on two drug possession charges. Rangel faces charges of aggravated assault, drive-by shooting, animal cruelty, and illegal discharge of a weapon.

Bond for Rangel was set at $100,000. Bond for Wieser was set at $1,000.