Parents allegedly drove slaying suspect to Mexico

by Melanie Kiser -
Feb. 25, 2010 04:47 PM
The Arizona Republic .

The parents of an alleged gang member wanted in connection with the fatal shooting a man at a Circle K are accused of driving the suspect to Mexico, according to court documents released Thursday.

Manuel Salazar III, 20, allegedly killed Lance Taylor, 23, outside a Circle K near 43rd Avenue and McDowell Road on Feb. 19. Taylor's wife and mother saw the shooting, police said.

Salazar's parents, Manuel Salazar Ochoa and Carlota Retana-Parra, and the suspect's sister, Claudia Partricia Salazar, were arrested Wednesday on charges of hindering prosecution in the first degree, a felony, according to court documents.

After surveillance photos of Salazar were released to the public, all three relatives told police they were unaware of his whereabouts.

Police said they believe the parents and sister knew he was staying with his 17-year-old girlfriend, who is suspected of driving the getaway vehicle at Circle K.

Police said they believe his parents drove him to Mexico, according to the documents. All three are being held on $18,000 bail.

Salazar allegedly was trying to steal two 30-packs of beer from the Circle K last week when Taylor confronted him in an attempt to help the store employees, said Sgt. Trent Crump, a Phoenix police spokesman.

Salazar listened to Taylor and returned the beer, but as he walked toward the exit, he pulled a handgun from his waistband and started waving it, yelling at Taylor and the employees, Crump said.

As he continued out the door, he saw Taylor's wife, who was opening the door, and said something to her then hit her in the head with his pistol, Crump said.

Police said they believe Taylor came up behind Salazar, who turned and shot him as his wife and mother watched. Taylor died at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, and his wife suffered a minor head injury.

Salazar's mother and sister are believed to be here legally, but their residency status might be revoked, according to the court documents.

Anyone with information on Salazar's whereabouts area asked to call 911, Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (480-948-6377) or, for Spanish, 480-TESTIGO (480-837-7446).

http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoe ... -abrk.html