Aggravated Assault - Arrest

On March 25, 2018 a family was traveling through Mesa when they came to a stop for a red light at Dobson and University. While waiting for the light to change, a male later identified as 27 year old Michael Mather, came up to the driver side of the victim vehicle and pointed a handgun at the occupants of the vehicle and started yelling at them. Four of the six occupants of the vehicle were under the age of 15. Mather attempted to open the driver side door as the victim accelerated to escape the situation. The victim’s called 911 and we responded.

An independent witness was located who observed the entire incident along with license plate information that led us to identify Michael Mather as the likely suspect. Mather was contacted shortly after and the investigation revealed Mather was traveling in a vehicle with three other occupants when their vehicle came to a stop behind the victim vehicle. Mather then spontaneously exited the vehicle and approached the victims with a handgun. The occupants in the car with Mather said he told them he thought he knew the victims and didn’t like them.

Fortunately, no one was injured in the commission of this crime. This is an outstanding example of good police work. Officers were able to quickly identify, locate and apprehend a dangerous criminal after committing a serious violent crime. Many of the victims in this case were children. Michael Mather has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, four counts of aggravated assault on a minor, one count of possession of a weapon by a prohibited person, one count of disorderly conduct with a weapon, and six counts of endangerment. Great work by all involved.