An 18-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a tragic shooting that resulted in the deaths of a pregnant teenager and her unborn child in Arizona. Michael Sanchez stands accused of killing 16-year-old Rylee Montgomery on the evening of Thursday, May 14. The incident occurred just before 8:15 p.m. outside a residence on Elwood Street in Buckeye, where police discovered three female victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
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Rylee Montgomery was pronounced dead at the scene, while two other victims, a 17-year-old girl and a 22-year-old woman, were critically injured and transported to hospital. The injured 17-year-old, identified as Rylee’s friend Abby, was reported to be in a critical condition and ultimately had to deliver her baby prematurely at just 25 weeks. The 22-year-old woman, named Mya, was also injured during the shooting.
According to police, two men fled the scene prior to officers’ arrival, prompting a swift investigation to track down the shooter. Authorities soon identified Michael Sanchez as the suspected assailant, who was in a relationship with Montgomery at the time. Officers managed to apprehend Sanchez at a home in Avondale with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service and local police, and he has since been charged with multiple felonies related to the incident.
Rylee’s stepmother, Amy Montgomery, has alleged that Sanchez had exhibited threatening and abusive behaviour towards Rylee in the lead-up to her death. In a message posted on a crowdfunding page set up to support the victims’ families, Amy claimed that Sanchez had threatened Rylee’s life on numerous occasions following their breakup in March.
According to Amy, the relationship took a darker turn after Rylee became pregnant in February. She alleged that Sanchez had pressured Rylee to terminate the pregnancy and became increasingly aggressive when she refused. “Once he got her pregnant, it was all over,” Amy wrote. “After telling her to ‘kill the baby,’ and when she refused, he turned his anger on her, threatening her numerous times.”
In her account, Amy described a chilling encounter where Sanchez allegedly pointed a gun at Rylee’s face after their breakup, warning her that she was not allowed to end their relationship. Remarkably, she claimed that Sanchez had threatened Rylee just a day before the shooting, enraged that she was spending time with friends. “He traveled over 20 miles to where she was and shot them all,” Amy recounted.
Reports suggest that Rylee had reached out to law enforcement prior to her tragic death, concerned about Sanchez’s threats. Amy stated that Rylee had shared with police a photograph Sanchez sent her, showing himself with a gun pointed at his head, along with a text message that ominously read, “I’m going to get you, and then I’m going to take care of myself.” Despite her calls to the Avondale Police, Amy reported that she did not hear back after Rylee’s plea for help.
When approached for comment, a representative from the Buckeye Police Department acknowledged that they had received a delayed report of a domestic violence incident involving Sanchez prior to the shooting. The exact steps taken by law enforcement in response to the earlier report remain unclear. The Avondale Police Department has been contacted for additional details pertaining to the situation.
The community has been left reeling from the violence, with many expressing their outrage over the tragic loss of Rylee and concern for the surviving victims. A GoFundMe page established to assist those affected by the incident has raised awareness and funds, highlighting the urgent need for discussions on domestic violence and the importance of timely intervention.
As the investigation continues, Sanchez faces multiple charges that could lead to severe legal consequences. The community mourns the loss of a promising young life and grapples with the broader implications of this heartbreaking event. The tragedy serves as a reminder of the severe impact of domestic violence and the need for vigilance and support for those affected.