By admin 
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A teenager has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for the deadly shooting of a man riding a scooter in downtown Phoenix last summer.
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Henry Gonzales pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter in the death of 45-year-old Porfirio Medina.
The shooting happened on Aug. 21, 2025, near Seventh Street and Buckeye Road.
Medina was riding a scooter when he nearly collided with a car carrying Gonzales, and others. Medina followed the car to the next intersection, approaching the passenger side while the car was stopped at a red light.
Investigators said Gonzales, who was 15 at the time, rolled down the window and shot Medina once in the chest around 10:45 p.m. The car then took off from the scene. No one in the car called 911 or reported the shooting.
Medina was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Surveillance video, license plate readers, and cellphone location data eventually led Phoenix police to the suspect vehicle and Gonzales.
During police interviews, Gonzales admitted to illegally buying the handgun a few days before the shooting, knowing he was a child and prohibited from carrying a firearm. He told detectives he sold the gun after the shooting because he feared he would use it again in another confrontation.
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Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said the tragedy highlights the devastating consequences of choosing gun violence to resolve roadside disputes.
“A brief confrontation on the road ended with a man dead and a teenager facing years in prison. One reckless decision changed two families forever,” Mitchell said in a statement. “This sentence sends a clear message: when you choose gun violence, we will hold you accountable.”
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