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Man accused of shooting at family, other crimes at rec site in Rio Verde area
Posted
Independent Newsmedia
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.