Arizona Man Arrested in Fatal Shooting of 7-Year-Old Girl

The suspect in an Arizona drive-by shooting has been charged with the fatal shooting of 7-year-old Letreese Moten.

According to CNN, 29-year-old Terriance D. Armstrong Jr. was taken into custody this week after he opened fire on another vehicle early Thursday in Glendale, Arizona. Authorities say the shooting was preceded by a verbal altercation involving Armstrong and the boyfriend of the girl’s mother. The mother had gone to a parking lot to pick up her boyfriend; as the woman began driving away, the suspect allegedly fired “warning shots” and began pursuing the vehicle. Letreese was reportedly in the backseat of her mother’s car along with her 5-year-old sister.

“Armstrong admitted to getting into an argument with the male,” officials stated. “Armstrong told detectives he shot multiple rounds from his handgun at the victim vehicle.”

Glendale police arrived at the scene shortly after, and learned the girl had been taken to the hospital with gunshot wounds. Letreese was pronounced dead later that day. 

Officers say Armstrong was spotted “wiping down [the] vehicle involved [in the shooting]” when police arrived at the scene. He claimed he opened fire on the vehicle because the other man shot at him first. Police found no evidence of a gun inside the other vehicle.

Fox 10 reports the suspect was also found with a piece of luggage that contained 3,000 suspected fentanyl pills. Armstrong was ultimately slapped with multiple charges, including first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and possession of a dangerous drug. 

Armstrong, who also has a prior conviction for voluntary manslaughter, is being held on a $2.5 million bond.