Family members of a 19-year-old killed in a Goodyear shooting are pleading for any information that could help find his killer, as the reward for information leading to an arrest was raised to $10,000.
Jaguar Williams died on Aug. 15 after gunshots erupted at a house party near Camelback and Citrus roads. First responders called it a “chaotic” scene.
Goodyear officers found him near Indian School Road and Loop 303 with life-threatening injuries. He later died at a hospital.
The party drew in about 100 people from across the Valley, many of whom were strangers to each other, Goodyear police described in their latest update at a Sept. 23 news conference.
Now, Police Chief Brian Issitt, who joined Williams’ grandmother during a joint press conference,
asked those partygoers to submit any video that could have captured people or cars in the area before, during or after the shooting.
Issitt said detectives received information from party attendees, but more was needed to move the investigation forward.
He asked the public to submit any video or photos from the party, saying, “What may seem insignificant to you could be the piece of evidence that helps us understand what happened.”
"Jaguar's family should not have to live with unanswered questions about what happened to their loved one," Issitt said.
Williams' maternal grandmother, who was not identified and chose to remain “nameless,” pleaded for help.
She described her grandson, whom she helped raise after his mother died, as a beautiful boy who had his life ahead of him.
She asked the public to help find his killer and get justice for Williams.
Goodyear party turned deadly
The Aug. 15 party was promoted on social media and attracted more than 100 people across the Valley from as far as Queen Creek, said Sgt. Mayra Reeson, at the news conference.
As the party was ending, an altercation happened at the front of the house that led to gunfire, she said. Investigators found that “multiple people had fired guns” during the incident, Reeson said.
Just after 1:50 a.m. Aug. 15, officers responded to the area after receiving multiple reports of gunshots fired. Callers reported teens and young adults leaving a house party after multiple gunshots were heard, according to the initial Goodyear police release.
Officers saw people fleeing on foot and in cars.
Williams and his girlfriend became separated as people fled, Reeson said. Investigators believe he was struck while fleeing, according to Reeson.
After the gunfire stopped, the couple reunited and took off in his girlfriend’s car, Reeson said.
“She then realized he had been shot and flagged down a responding officer,” Reeson said.
A previous Goodyear police release stated a second man suffered a "minor graze wound" and drove himself to a hospital, where he was treated and released.
Investigators found that partygoers likely only knew “one to two people” at the party, Reeson said.
“This wasn’t a close-knit group of people,” she said.
That has made the investigation difficult in finding video evidence.
Goodyear police urge public to submit tips to solve the case
Goodyear detectives are asking for help to learn the social media handle where the party was promoted.
Investigators have seen some footage but are attempting to track down every angle, Reeson said.
Detectives know there are more video clips circulating and have seen “still shots” of a bunch of phones out when they believe the initial altercation began, according to Reeson.
“We need those videos. We need that information,” she said.
Investigators continue to conduct interviews and want to hear from anyone who witnessed the altercation or shooting.
Video can be uploaded directly to the Goodyear Police Department’s secure evidence portal.
If people wanted to remain anonymous, she directed people to contact Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (480-948-6377) or 480-TESTIGO (480-837-8446) for Spanish.
Have a news tip? Contact The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com at newstips@arizonarepublic.com.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Deadly Goodyear party drew 100 attendees. Police seek tips, offer reward
