On February 23, 2021 around 10:30 p.m. Mesa Police Officers responded to the Red Mountain Apartments, located at 2610 N. Recker Mesa, AZ for reports of a shooting.
Two witnesses told officers that a man, later identified as 36yo Aaron Taylor, was in an argument with two other men in the complex. They watched Aaron walk away from the men, go into his apartment, and come out with a handgun. Aaron fired the handgun into the air and then went back into his apartment.
Officers contacted Aaron at his apartment. Aaron told officers that he was in a physical fight with another man in the complex, resulting in him being punched and receiving a black eye. After the fight, Aaron said he got his handgun and used it to fire a single shot in hopes of scaring the men away.
Aaron described the weapon he used as a .40 Smith & Wesson. He also informed officers that he is a prohibited possessor due to a prior felony conviction and is not allowed to possess a firearm.
When asked why he did not call police to help resolve the situation, Aaron said, “Because I’m stupid.”
Officers recovered Aaron’s handgun after the execution of a search warrant.
In Arizona, discharging a firearm into or within city limits is a felony. This law is also known as “Shannon’s Law”, which was signed into law in July 2000. Shannon’s Law stems from the death of 14yo Shannon Smith, who was struck in the head by a stray bullet while in her backyard in Phoenix, AZ. Her killer still has not been identified.
Aaron was booked into jail for the following charges and did not receive a bond.
1ct Misconduct
Involving Weapons/ Prohibited Possessor, ARS 13-3102A4, a class 4 felony.
1ct Unlawful
Discharge of a Firearm (Shannon’s Law), ARS 13-3107A, a class 6 felony.
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