Tucson AZ: 7 Year Old Boy Shot and Killed by Gang Members

Arrest made in shooting that killed 7 year old boy

Tucson Police gang detectives made an arrest late Saturday in the shooting that killed a first grader.

Reporter: Jessica Chapin

Web Producer: Brian Pryor and Tammy Vo

Posted: Apr 09, 2011 12:44 PM EDT

Updated: Apr 11, 2011 2:08 PM EDT

TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - Tucson Police detectives arrested Alvin Valenzuela, 21, of Sells, late Saturday and are naming him the shooter in the shooting death of a child at an apartment complex near Golf Links & Wilmot.

Officers were called to the shooting scene after 12:40 a.m. Saturday morning. Police found the victim, 7-year-old Johnathan Federico of Tucson inside an apartment.

Paramedics transported the boy to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. Officers began searching for the suspect and found two at a residence in the 5900 block of East 29th Street.

Sgt. Matt Ronstadt with the Tucson Police said that one of the men who was detained has gang affiliations and detectives are investigating. Detectives have said that the suspects were in the northwest corner of the school yard across from the complex and were firing several shots.

Police say that Valenzuela began firing shots at the complex. An adult confronted Valenzuela who returned with gunfire. That's when police say, the boy ran outside through an open door and was shot at least once causing him to fall back into the apartment.

Another man who was with Valenzuela was not associated with the shooting and was released on Saturday, say police.

Authorities ask anyone who has information to call 9-1-1 or 88-CRIME.

www.kgun9.com/Global/story.asp?S=14415199 -

Residents: thugs taking over where 7-year old shot and killed
Posted: Apr 11, 2011 8:58 PM CDT
Updated: Apr 11, 2011 8:58 PM CDT


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Residents: thugs taking over where 7-year old shot and killed
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Reporter: Steve Nuñez

TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) – Residents in the Corbett Neighborhood, where a gunman shot and killed 7-year old Johnathan Federico, say thugs are taking over the area, especially at night. But Tucson Police point to city budget cuts for restricting officers from stepping up their patrols above and beyond what they normally do.

Meanwhile, residents like Michelle Cobos continue to stop by Johnathan's memorial site to pay tribute to the boy and his family.

"I live right down the street. It just breaks my heart," said Cobos.

Cobos, a mother of two, did not know the 7-year old. But it touched her heart just the same.

"If that was my child I would want as much support as I could get," said Cobos. She continued to look down at a photo of Johnathan.

This sad tribute has also become a sad reminder of how the Corbett Neighborhood has changed from good to bad.

Long time resident Terry Tisdale said, "You were able to go out at night around here not any more."

But no one wants to talk about the crime happening in this area much less call police to report the trouble makers like 21-year old Alvin Valenzuela who police say fired the shots that killed Johnathan.

Roger MacVittie, President of the Corbett Neighborhood Association, admits residents are in fear for their safety.

He, too, would not talk to Nine On Your Side. Instead, he hung up on us twice.

According to police stats, Johnathan's murder marks the first one there this year. Since January police have responded to 17 total assaults including four with a deadly weapon.

Tucson Police tell KGUN9 News even if they knew about the crime budget cuts would prohibit them from stepping up patrol unless residents call in to report the crime when it's happening.

Sgt. Matt Ronstadt, TPD's Spokesperson, said fearful residents have other ways, than just 88-CRIME, of anonymously reporting crime. He said residents can also attend neighborhood association meetings to voice their concerns without being identified by the thugs.

"They can certainly become involved in their neighborhood watch or association and provide information through the neighborhood association that can then be reported to us," said Sgt. Ronstadt.

Paula Martinez who lives next door to Johnathan says she's seen enough and is no longer afraid.

"No I'm not. No I'm not," said Martinez.

Nuñez then asked Martinez what's stopping her from getting involved with the neighborhood association.

Martinez said, "I've never even heard of a neighborhood association."

The Corbett Neighborhood Association also blames city budget cuts for not having money to spread the word to promote its monthly meetings.

Tucson Police confirm they frequently attend Corbett's neighborhood association meetings.

The neighborhood group said its tried to form a Crime Watch but can't get enough residents to participate.

http://www.kgun9.com/global/story.asp?s=14426371

A search for answers: who is the accused gunman behind the killing of 7-year-old boy?

Posted: Apr 11, 2011 11:34 PM CDT
Updated: Apr 12, 2011 10:17 AM CDT

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A search for answers: who is the accused gunman behind the killing of 7-year-old boy?
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Reporter: Joel Waldman

TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - Crime scene investigators collected evidence in Saturday's deadly shooting of 7-year-old Johnathan Federico. The pelting rain that day forced CSI to hide behind umbrellas.

And, now, it seems Alvin Valenzuela, the man accused of killing Johnathon, also known as John-John, shielded himself in his own veil of secrecy. Family and friends say they do not know who the 21-year-old is, "Have you ever heard of him? Seen him? Anything?" KGUN9 asked. "I don't know the guy, I don't even know what he looks like," said John-John's cousin, Linda Terrazas. "He was no one anyone knew. He was just a ghost, he didn't exist," added another cousin, Shalane Guerrero.

A ghost; even we, the media, who typically get mug shots after jail bookings, still don't have one of Valenzuela. The jail simply told us it was not cleared for release yet. We ran Pima County and state searches, but found he had no criminal past. About the only thing we could find for sure on the county jail's web site is Alvin Valenzuela's middle name: Chavez.

"You want to know why; why did he appear? What made him come? But, there are no answers," said a perplexed Guerrero.

But, speculation angered an entire neighborhood, "A lot of people believe that the accused shooter, Alvin Valenzuela, saw John-John and pulled the trigger anyway. What have you heard about that?" KGUN9 asked. "That's what's been said that he aimed at John-John and shot him. But, if he did that, how do you have no remorse? How do you not have any guilt towards what you did?" asked Guerrero.

John-John's cousin Deonte Washington wondered the same thing, "I think it's pretty sad because he probably hadn't seen the kid because you can't just take a little kids life away. He had hopes and dreams like everyone else does."

KGUN9 requested a jailhouse interview with Alvin Valenzuela, but he declined to be interviewed. Tonight, Tucson police released an update in the case, saying Valenzuela fired at least one additional shot after the door was opened. Cops say they're still looking for a motive.

http://www.kgun9.com/global/story.asp?s=14426926

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Witnesses: Accused gunman intentionally targeted 7-year-old:

Posted: Apr 11, 2011 12:27 AM EDT

Updated: Apr 11, 2011 5:32 PM EDT

Reporter: Joel Waldman

Web Producer: Layla Tang

TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - A Tucson neighborhood is coming together after seven-year-old Johnathan Frederico was shot and killed early Saturday morning. Like any child, the first-grader was curious about the noises he heard outside his apartment complex. But those noises turned out to be gunshots, and he ended up taking a bullet.

A school is supposed to be safe ground. So, early Saturday morning, when Johnathan and his sister heard what they thought were fireworks coming from Corbett Elementary, just a baseball's throw away from their apartment, neither thought much of it. Jonathan's big sister, Abigail, went to check out the commotion.

"Abigail was outside telling them to go home and asking them what they were doing there, and I grabbed Abigail and brought her inside," said Tabitha Martinez, who was babysitting the kids that night.

Martinez quickly realized the noises the kids heard were not fireworks; they were gunshots. Twenty-one-year-old Alvin Valenzuela was reportedly firing a gun just for kicks. And, just as she realized what was going on, little Johnathan, who everyone called Jon-Jon, decided to check out the commotion too. That's when Valenzuela turned his aim toward the apartment.

"When I went to grab Jon-Jon, he turned around with gun and shot again, and kept firing after that," continued Martinez.

Police say Valenzuela opened fire on the 7-year-old., and one bullet was enough to take his life.

"He grabbed himself because it (the bullet) went in (his) stomach. (I) just felt him pull me down," described Martinez.

"He was just right here and he was shooting at the house. Jon-Jon was sitting right here in front of the door. He (the shooter) had to have aimed at him. (He) aims the gun and shoots him," added Gabriel Martinez, a neighbor.

"Do you think Alvinthe Valenzuela saw Jon-Jon and shot anyway?" asked KGUN9 reporter Joel Waldman.

"I can't say for sure, but I can't say he didn't see anybody. He was standing there for a minute before he shot," explained Martinez, who saw everything unfold right in front of her. She said there was no mistaking Jon-Jon's young face,

"They [the children] don't look older than they were. I'm sure he (the accused shooter) saw (their) age. I still don't understand why he shot," wondered Martinez.

"Your niece came out asked them to stop. They came over here, saw your little nephew and just shot him. What kind of person does that?" KGUN9 asked Jennifer Pena, Jon-Jon's aunt.

"A person that doesn't have no heart, no soul," Pena answered.

Jon-Jon's family is having several car washes because they need help paying for funeral services. There is a car wash this Monday and Tuesday at Auto Zone on 22nd and Wilmot from 8a-4p. And, also, this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Saguaro Liquor near Craycroft and 22nd.

Alvinthe Valenzuela is currently sitting in the Pima County Jail. He's being held on the most serious felony charge, first degree homicide. He is also charged with discharging a weapon near an occupied residence, as well as aggravated assault.

www.kgun9.com/global/story.asp?s=14419544

Investigates: accused child killer has violent past:

Reporter: Joel Waldman and Martha Serda

Web Producer: David Rush

Posted: Apr 12, 2011 9:21 PM EDT

Updated: Apr 12, 2011 11:59 PM EDT

TUCSON (KGUN-TV) - A KGUN9 News investigation found the man accused of killing a 7 year old boy Saturday morning spent more than 3 years behind bars in connection with the murder of two people.

Court records show tribal police arrested Alvin Chavez Valenzuela, age 21, in July of 2010 in Sells. Valenzuela, who is a member of the Tohono O'odham Indian tribe, was charged with several felonies including aggravated assault.

Tucson police arrested Valenzuela over the weekend following the shooting death of Johnathan Federico. Witnesses told officers the first grader heard what he thought were fireworks early Saturday morning and went outside to look. The fireworks turned out to be gun shots.

According to witnesses, the gunman looked at Federico and opened fire. He later died at the hospital.

This wasn't the first time Valenzuela was accused in a violent crime. Court documents obtained by 9 On Your Side show Valenzuela was involved in the shooting deaths of 2 men in July 2010. He was charged with 2 counts of aggravated assault and a host of other felonies including conspiracy, unlawful use of a weapon, threatening and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

According to court documents, Valenzuela was shipped off to the McKinley County Adult Detention Center in Gallup New Mexico. He stayed there for almost a year before he reached a plea agreement with the Tohono O'odham Nation.

Valenzuela pleaded guilty to 2 counts of aggravated assault and 2 other charges and tribal court sentenced him to 1,260 days in jail.

During his time behind bars, court records show Valenzuela filed a civil lawsuit against the Tohono O'odham Nation claiming his sentence was excessive and was in violation of the Indian Civil Rights Act.

A federal judge dismissed the case after Valenzuela's attorneys failed to respond the defendant's response in time.

Valenzuela served the remainder of his sentence at the McKinley County Adult Detention Center. According to the jail, he was released and transported to the Tohono O'odham Nation on March 11.

Less than a month later, Tucson police arrested Valenzuela and charged him with killing young Johnathan.

Tucson Police have yet to release their booking photo of Valenzuela, saying their computer system is down. The booking photo shown on the left side of this page was provided to KGUN9 news by the McKinley County, New Mexico Adult Detention Facility.

What Valenzuela was doing in the Tucson neighborhood where Johnathan died remains a mystery. Neighbors who spoke with 9 On Your Side described him as "a ghost" whom no one had ever met or heard of.

www.kgun9.com/Global/story.asp?S=14434633

Accused killer of 7-year-old just got out of jail:

Posted: Apr 13, 2011 12:17 AM EDT

Updated: Apr 13, 2011 12:17 AM EDT

Reporter: Joel Waldman

TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN9-TV) – At the Martinez Funeral Home, hugs were given all around all around. Johnathon Federico's family and friends gathered there for the 7-year-old's viewing. But, it was the viewing a picture of his accused killer, Alvin Valenzuela, that really got John-John's family all worked up, "Just stress and sadness and crying. It's hard to see them. My cousin aged 7 had (his) life taken away, innocent little kid," said Federico's cousin.

But, not so innocent, it turns out is Alvin Valenzuela. KGUN9 has learned the 21-year-old has a violent past, served time and just got out of jail less than a month ago after spending years behind bars.

"They didn't do what they were supposed to and because of that an innocent boy lost his life," said Miguel Brito.

John-John's uncle is mad at the federal government, specifically the U.S. Attorney's office. It is responsible for prosecuting more serious crimes, like murder, but Brito believes the government dropped the ball with Valenzuela.

Four years ago, records show reservation police arrested the Tohono O'Odham tribal member in "Sells for using a firearm with the intent to frighten, injure and kill… " And, those same records show that intent to frighten turned into reality. Two men were shot and killed July 29, 2007.

That's how Valenzuela ended up in prison in New Mexico. He was charged with eight felony counts, including aggravated assault, the most serious charge under reservation law. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to nearly three-and-a-half years.

But, that wasn't good enough for Valenzuela. He sued because his lawyers argued that sentence violated the Indian Civil Rights Act. Valenzuela lost. But, after serving his time, he was released less than one month ago.

Now, he's back in Pima County Jail on suspicion of shooting and killing 7-year-old Johnathan Federico in cold blood.

KGUN9 spoke to a source close to the original reservation investigation. He told us there is no such thing as a homicide charge on the reservation; aggravated assault is the most serious charge. And, that's what reservation prosecutors aggressively sought. The source told KGUN9 they got more time for Valenzuela than they had hoped. But, what they also really hoped for; federal prosecutors to step in and take over the case.

The same source told us it's the responsibility of the federal government to prosecute more serious charges, like homicide. But, he went on to say those cases often slip through the cracks. We still do not know for sure if that's what happened in this particular case.

www.kgun9.com/Global/story.asp?S=14435333

Quote:

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Four years ago, records show reservation police arrested the Tohono O'Odham tribal member in "Sells for using a firearm with the intent to frighten, injure and kill… " And, those same records show that intent to frighten turned into reality. Two men were shot and killed July 29, 2007.

That's how Valenzuela ended up in prison in New Mexico. He was charged with eight felony counts, including aggravated assault, the most serious charge under reservation law. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to nearly three-and-a-half years.

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Something sounds very strange about Alvin Valenzuela. :? He had committed enough crimes to serve a life sentence in prison prior to murdering the seven year old. Facts shows in the news article he is not a legal resident of Tucson, Arizona, but he is allowed to make bail and are released from jail. Valenzuela is high risk for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution of murder charges. Also where did he get the money from to post his bail? I think Valenzuela is involved with a lot more than anyone know of currently. 8O

9OYS Investigates: accused child killer has violent past
Posted: Apr 12, 2011 8:21 PM CDT
Updated: Apr 13, 2011 11:14 AM CDT


Reporter: Joel Waldman and Martha Serda
Web Producer: David Rush

TUCSON (KGUN-TV) - A KGUN9 News investigation found the man accused of killing a 7 year old boy Saturday morning spent more than 3 years behind bars in connection with the murder of two people.

Court records show tribal police arrested Alvin Chavez Valenzuela, age 21, in July of 2007 in Sells. Valenzuela, who is a member of the Tohono O'odham Indian tribe, was charged with several felonies including aggravated assault.

Tucson police arrested Valenzuela over the weekend following the shooting death of Johnathan Federico. Witnesses told officers the first grader heard what he thought were fireworks early Saturday morning and went outside to look. The fireworks turned out to be gun shots.

According to witnesses, the gunman looked at Federico and opened fire. He later died at the hospital.

This wasn't the first time Valenzuela was accused in a violent crime. Court documents obtained by 9 On Your Side show Valenzuela was involved in the shooting deaths of 2 men in July 2007. He was charged with 2 counts of aggravated assault and a host of other felonies including conspiracy, unlawful use of a weapon, threatening and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

According to court documents, Valenzuela was shipped off to the McKinley County Adult Detention Center in Gallup New Mexico. He stayed there for almost a year before he reached a plea agreement with the Tohono O'odham Nation.

Valenzuela pleaded guilty to 2 counts of aggravated assault and 2 other charges and tribal court sentenced him to 1,260 days in jail.

During his time behind bars, court records show Valenzuela filed a civil lawsuit against the Tohono O'odham Nation claiming his sentence was excessive and was in violation of the Indian Civil Rights Act.

A federal judge dismissed the case after Valenzuela's attorneys failed to respond the defendant's response in time.

Valenzuela served the remainder of his sentence at the McKinley County Adult Detention Center. According to the jail, he was released and transported to the Tohono O'odham Nation on March 11.

Less than a month later, Tucson police arrested Valenzuela and charged him with killing young Johnathan.

Tucson Police have yet to release their booking photo of Valenzuela, saying their computer system is down. The booking photo shown on the left side of this page was provided to KGUN9 news by the McKinley County, New Mexico Adult Detention Facility.

What Valenzuela was doing in the Tucson neighborhood where Johnathan died remains a mystery. Neighbors who spoke with 9 On Your Side described him as "a ghost" whom no one had ever met or heard of.

http://www.kgun9.com/story/14435333/acc ... ected=true