Central Heights, Arizona Man Identified as Person of Interest in New Year’s Eve Fatal Shooting

Central Heights, Arizona Man Identified as Person of Interest in New Year’s Eve Fatal Shooting

CENTRAL HEIGHTS, ARIZONA — Deshawn Tarango, a 19-year-old resident of the area, has been identified as a person of interest in a fatal New Year’s Eve shooting that killed a Miami High School student, according to the Gila County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities say the shooting occurred around 1:08 a.m. Thursday at a home in the 5700 block of McKinney Avenue, where people were gathered to celebrate the holiday. Deputies responded after receiving a 911 call reporting that a juvenile had been shot.

Law enforcement officers arrived to find the victim unresponsive and performed life-saving measures until medical personnel took over. The victim was transported to Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center and later airlifted to a hospital in Phoenix, where he died from his injuries.

Chief Deputy James Lahti said investigators are still working to determine whether the shooting was accidental or intentional. Initial information suggested the suspect fled in a white RAM truck, though updated details indicate the individual may have fled on foot and been picked up by an unknown vehicle.

Tarango has not been arrested, and authorities have not released a photo, emphasizing that he is only a person of interest at this stage of the investigation. Anyone with information about his whereabouts or details related to the incident is urged to contact the Gila County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division at 928-402-1872.

The Miami Unified School District announced that counseling and support services will be available on campus beginning Jan. 5 to assist students and staff affected by the tragedy.