Log in

Man accused of shooting at family, other crimes at rec site in Rio Verde area

Posted 5/18/20

A man is accused of shooting at several people at a recreation area in northeast Maricopa County.

Jacob Tray Valentino, 26, was booked into jail Monday on charges of attempted murder, …

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already have an account? Log in to continue.

Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here

Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

To Our Valued Readers –

Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.

For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.

Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.

Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.

Sincerely,
Charlene Bisson, Publisher, Independent Newsmedia

Please log in to continue

Log in
I am anchor

Man accused of shooting at family, other crimes at rec site in Rio Verde area

Posted

A man is accused of shooting at several people at a recreation area in northeast Maricopa County.

Jacob Tray Valentino, 26, was booked into jail Monday on charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault, attempted theft, kidnapping and disorderly conduct.

Around 3:30 p.m. Monday, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a man with a gun shooting at the Needle Rock Recreation Site of the Tonto National Forest, which is about 3 miles north of Forest Road and Rio Verde Drive.

Witnesses said a man was fishing along the Verde River when he shot his handgun at a nearby family, records state. MCSO said the family had two children under 15 and six others over the age of 15.

After the shot fired, the family started to run from the area toward the parking lot. Witnesses said the man then went to his vehicle and allegedly fired another shot. He then started to approach a group of five girls and told them to get in their vehicle so he could drive away with them, records state. While the man stood outside the vehicle, he allegedly pointed the firearm at the front seat occupants.

A male bystander then confronted the suspect, who then tried to shoot at the bystander. However, it appeared that the gun failed to discharge, records state. The suspect then threw the weapon at the bystander, though it missed him and fell to the ground. The bystander and other people then held the man down until MCSO arrived.

The female victims said the man appeared to be drunk during the incident.

MCSO identified the suspect as Mr. Valentino and booked him into jail in lieu of $1 million bond.