A group of young men in Arizona was sentenced this week for their involvement in a deadly drive-by shooting that killed a 5-year-old boy and wounded two other children. The shooting, which occurred in March 2023 in Tempe, was reportedly gang-related, with the defendants firing over 20 shots into a car full of children and teenagers.
The Tragic Incident
The shooting took place on a quiet March evening when Alfred Gary, 18, Freddy Patterson, 18, and Charles Adams, 20, were driving through Tempe. They encountered a black Impala, which was stopped at a red light near 48th Street and Broadway Road. Inside the Impala were seven people, including the 5-year-old boy, a 17-year-old, and an 8-year-old girl.
The defendants, reportedly members of a local street gang, opened fire, shooting more than 20 rounds into the car. Tragically, the 5-year-old boy was killed in the attack, and the 17-year-old boy and 8-year-old girl were injured. Afterward, the trio stopped to pick up dinner and even returned to the crime scene to record a video of themselves. They used the footage to brag about the shooting to fellow gang members.
The Defendants’ Sentencing
Gary, Patterson, and Adams all pleaded guilty to a range of serious charges, including second-degree murder, drive-by shooting, conspiracy to commit a drive-by shooting, and aggravated assault. In court, their involvement in the crime was made clear, with prosecutors describing how Patterson and Adams had a personal “issue” with a rival gang member who was allegedly in the Impala at the time of the attack.
Gary received a 16-year prison sentence, while Patterson and Adams were each sentenced to 30 years in prison for the fatal shooting. In addition to the charges related to the Tempe drive-by, Patterson and Adams were also sentenced to an additional 5 years for another drive-by shooting that occurred just two days prior in Phoenix. This earlier attack involved shooting into a car containing a mother and her two children, although no one was injured in that incident.
A Fourth Suspect and the Ongoing Case
While three defendants have been sentenced, a fourth alleged shooter, Demarcus Frazier, 32, still faces charges related to the incident. Frazier’s case remains pending, and he is facing the death penalty if convicted.
The case has drawn significant attention due to the tragic death of the young child and the brazen nature of the attack, with the defendants reportedly boasting about the shooting afterward. Prosecutors have called the actions of the young men “reckless” and “willful,” and they have vowed to ensure justice for the victims.
The sentencing of Gary, Patterson, and Adams serves as a sobering reminder of the deadly consequences of gang violence and the reckless disregard for human life. The tragic loss of the 5-year-old boy and the injuries to two other children highlight the devastating impact of such senseless acts. As the case of Demarcus Frazier continues, the community hopes for justice and a resolution to this heart-wrenching chapter.
