Phoenix Police Arrest Man in Connection With 11 Drive-by Shootings

Phoenix Police announced the arrest of a man who has been connected to 11 drive-by shootings that took place over the last six months in Phoenix.

24-year-old Manuel Sierra was arrested on May 11 in Buckeye and charged in a series of drive-by shootings that began on New Year’s Eve 2021. Phoenix police Sierra was targeting members of an extended family in the shootings in south and west Phoenix after a relationship ended. Investigators reported they determined that Sierra was a past romantic partner to someone related to the victims.

According to police, the first shooting occurred in the area of 25th Avenue and Baseline on December 31, 2021, when allegedly Sierra opened fire, striking a home and two cars in the driveway.

Over the period of six months, the shootings continued at 11 additional homes and multiple vehicles were struck by gunfire. During at least half of these shootings, the homes were occupied at the time. No injuries were reported in any of the shootings.

During the span of six months, the targeted families also received threatening text messages tied to the shootings. The most recent shooting took place on May 11, 2022. Evidence collected from each crime scene directed police to Sierra, who was booked into jail on 18 felony charges.

The shootings took place in neighborhoods near the following intersections:

December 31, 2021, 27th Avenue & Baseline Road
March 12, 2022, 19th Avenue & Broadway Road
March 30, 2022, 37th Avenue & Indian School Road
April 5, 2022, 59th Avenue &Thomas Road
April 10, 2022, 47th Avenue & Indian School Road
April 10, 2022, 49th & Campbell avenues
April 12, 2022, 59th Avenue & Camelback Road
April 15, 2022, 59th & Highland Avenues
April 30, 2022, 59th & Highland Avenues
May 2, 2022, 47th Avenue & Indian School Road
May 11, 2022, 67th Avenue & Thomas Road