3 teens accused of murdering 16-year-old at Mesa apartment complex: police

MESA, Ariz. – Three suspects are behind bars nearly six months after a shooting at a Mesa apartment complex left a teen dead.

The backstory:

On May 21 at around 10 p.m., Mesa Police responded to a shooting on South Val Vista Drive. 

Officers found two victims with gunshot wounds in the complex. Both were taken to a nearby hospital, where one of the victim’s— a 16-year-old boy, was pronounced dead. 

Previous reporting confirmed the teen’s identity as Azriel Lloyd. 

What we know:

Detectives had identified three potential suspects— 18-year-old Bre’on Ballard, then 18-year-old Nikko Cartier and then 19-year-old Jameeier White. The men were also persons of interest at the time of the crime, but detectives were awaiting additional evidence before pursuing charges.

Dig deeper:

Several search warrants were issued over the course of the investigation, where multiple firearms were recovered across Mesa and Phoenix-area cities.

Detectives submitted first-degree murder charges to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and arrest warrants were issued for the suspects.

Ballard was taken into custody last week in California, while Cartier and Whiter were arrested on Nov. 14

What’s next:

All three men are being held on a $2 million bond.

Crime and Public SafetyMesaNews