7 teens shot outside 3 separate parties in West Valley this weekend

PHOENIX — A total of seven teenagers were shot outside of three separate parties throughout the West Valley over the weekend.

Everyone is expected to survive, but the recent spike in teen violence has left some worried for their safety.

“It’s scary because I don’t think these events happen in a vacuum. I think that there are things systemically in the way people are living their lives that point to this happening,” Anthony Ramirez, an attorney and former law enforcement officer, said.

Phoenix police said five people, including two teenagers, were shot as a house party was breaking up near 99th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road around 1 a.m. on Saturday.

“I don’t feel safe at this point,” a woman living nearby said.

Around the same time in Litchfield Park, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said four teenagers were shot outside of an after-prom party.

A 15-year-old boy was also shot in the leg at a pool party in Avondale on Saturday evening, according to police.

Ramirez questions who is responsible beyond the teens involved.

“Who is responsible for allowing them to get firearms? Who is responsible for even allowing the party to even take place if there’s minors there?” Ramirez said.

People living nearby said it appears the violence is associated with recent house parties, and they worry the behavior is being invited into their neighborhood.

“It’s disturbing because I have two little ones,” the woman said.

Ramirez said supervision is the solution, adding parents should know where their children are at all times.

“If it’s predictable, then it’s preventable, and this stuff, it does happen and we really need to take ownership of who our kids are hanging out with and who they’re spending time with,” Ramirez said.

Each of the shootings is still under investigation. No arrests have been made.

You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12+ app! 

The free 12+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like “Today in AZ” and “12 News” and our daily lifestyle program, “Arizona Midday”—on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV. 

12+  showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona. 

Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives. 

Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for “12 News KPNX.” 

Amazon Fire TV: Search for “12 News KPNX” to find the free 12+ app to add to your account, or have the 12+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app.