Teen Fatally Shoots 16-Year-Old Boy After Spotting Him With His Ex-Girlfriend At Gas Station

A teenage boy was fatally shot when he was out with his girlfriend in Buckeye, Arizona, on Saturday. Efrain Escobar, 16, was at a QuikTrip gas station where he was shot to death by an armed 17-year-old in the wee hours of Nov. 13.

The ex-boyfriend of Escobar's girlfriend arrived at the same gas station on South Watson at around 2 a.m. When the 17-year-old realized his ex was there with Escobar, he began making threats at the young couple, according to Phoenix NBC affiliate 12 News KPNX.

The armed underage boy is said to have opened fire within moments of this, and fatally struck Escobar. He succumbed to his injuries at the scene. A friend of the victim, who was also present at the scene, got hold of a gun and began shooting at the suspect before he escaped. Cops have not revealed the attacker's identity as he is a juvenile.

The tragic death at the gas station was the second call regarding a shooting that cops had responded to within a span of half an hour that night. Officers were first called to a shooting incident that had occurred near 1400 North Jackrabbit Trail, where multiple individuals opened fire at a large gathering, but no injuries were reported. The crowd had dispersed as soon as the police arrived.

Around 20 minutes later, the police arrived at the QuikTrip gas station that was a few miles down the road after getting the call about a shooting involving teenagers. Officers arrived to find the teenage boy, Escobar, lying lifeless on the ground.

Angeline Carbajal, the deceased teen’s cousin, spoke about the grief the family was going through after young Escobar’s life was cut short. "It’s not going to be the same without him," Carbajal told ABC15.

The cousin revealed she was 9 years old when Escobar was born and saw both a brother and a friend in him. "He was a really good kid. He didn’t ask for problems. He just wanted to have fun. Be with his family. His friends," Carbajal said.

As Escobar's loved ones hope for justice, Carbajal added, "All we get is a hug and I’m sorry, but that’s not going to bring him back. It’s not going to bring him back."

Following the shooting, the police found the 17-year-old suspect near 99th Avenue and Thomas Road and arrested him in connection with Escobar's death.