Background: The 900 block of South Deerfield Lane in Gilbert, Arizona (Google Maps). Inset: Rael Sanchez (Maricopa County Sheriff”s Office).
An evening that started off as a typical family gathering in Arizona spiraled into chaos when a young man allegedly shot his stepsister’s boyfriend in the neck. The Gilbert Police Department has identified the suspect as 21-year-old Rael Sanchez, who now faces charges of attempted second-degree murder.
The unsettling events took place on a calm Saturday night at a residence located on the 900 block of South Deerfield Lane in Gilbert, Arizona. According to police reports, the teenage girl who lives in the home had invited her 16-year-old boyfriend over. Meanwhile, Sanchez, described as “a relative of one of the homeowners,” was also present at the home.
The situation began to escalate before 8 p.m. when Sanchez entered the girl’s room and questioned her boyfriend about having his phone number. The boyfriend replied that he did not have it, prompting Sanchez to laugh and walk away, as detailed in court documents reviewed by Arizona’s Family, a media outlet that includes CBS affiliate KPHO and independent station KTVK.
Following this exchange, the young couple decided to leave the room and head to a nearby basketball court. As they stepped outside, the girl noticed Sanchez engaged in conversation with another family member. Moments later, Sanchez approached the couple, and she spotted a gun tucked into his waistband, as reported by the police.
Witnesses described Sanchez’s behavior as erratic. His words were slurred, and he seemed intent on provoking the boyfriend, making derogatory remarks like “you ain’t s—” and “you ain’t about s—.” Concerned by her stepbrother’s unsettling demeanor, the girl went back inside to inform her family members. However, she was reassured that Sanchez was merely “checking” on her boyfriend.
The suspect was reportedly behaving oddly, slurring his words and trying to antagonize the boyfriend, making comments such as “you ain’t s—” and “you ain’t about s—.” The girl said she walked inside and told her family members about her stepbrother’s actions, but they told her Sanchez was just “checking” the boyfriend.
Sanchez and the boyfriend were still talking when she rejoined them, per the local news source. The suspect was holding a bag and repeatedly saying “take me to Asia.” The girl said her boyfriend looked scared.
The couple walked back inside, but still, Sanchez reportedly kept his focus on the boyfriend. As they walked, the girl recalled hearing a loud “pop” sound and then seeing her boyfriend fall to the floor.
The suspect allegedly ran away from the house and then drove away in his father’s pickup truck. Gilbert police officers were called, and they arrived at the home to find the victim with “serious injuries.” He was brought to a nearby hospital in critical condition.
Authorities were unable to find Sanchez until the following morning, when Phoenix police officers reported seeing him in the city. Once detained, he was brought to an area hospital for injuries that are unclear, and once he was released, Gilbert police officers took him into custody.
Family members have said they believed Sanchez was experiencing mental health issues prior to the shooting. He was placed into the Maricopa County Jail under a $1 million cash-only bond.
The boyfriend was shot in the neck, with the bullet damaging his spine, the Arizona’s Family story said. When he woke up in the hospital, he reportedly couldn’t feel his arms or legs, and hospital workers told police he would likely be paralyzed if he survived the shooting.
