PHOENIX, Arizona — A series of seemingly random shootings in the Valley has led to the arrest of a man accused of killing two individuals over a two-week span, leaving the community devastated and searching for clarity. Authorities have charged 21-year-old Adalberto Pablo Cordova Torres with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the violent spree that unfolded between November 11 and November 29.
The troubling series of events began when a resident on North 1st Drive discovered multiple bullet holes in their home. Thankfully, no one was injured, but this incident set off alarm bells for law enforcement, marking the onset of a deadly wave of violence in northern Phoenix neighborhoods.
On November 24, police were dispatched to a scene at 19th Avenue and Greenway Road shortly after 3 a.m. There, they found 45-year-old Marcus Adams shot nine times, surrounded by 14 spent shell casings. Just days later, on November 29, 29-year-old Andreas Olguin was attacked as he sat at a bus stop near 19th Avenue and Thunderbird Road around 2 a.m., suffering 11 gunshot wounds, with 15 shell casings recovered from that scene.
The grieving families of both victims expressed their sorrow and anger over the abruptness of the violence. Olguin’s mother described how detectives indicated the assault was random, as her son had no prior connection to the alleged shooter. Both families are now left grappling with incomprehensible loss and seeking justice.
Law enforcement began to connect the dots between the shootings through ballistic evidence, linking the spent casings from each scene to a single firearm. This key discovery prompted detectives from different units to collaborate, piecing together the suspect’s movements through surveillance footage. The videos reportedly show Cordova Torres approaching both Adams and Olguin moments before the shootings and fleeing on an electric bike.
Investigators uncovered that Cordova Torres was employed at a business located within a two-to-eight mile radius of all three shooting sites. His employer confirmed that he had been working night shifts prior to the violent incidents, which corresponded with the timing of the attacks.
Authorities arrested Cordova Torres on Thursday after analyzing the forensic and video evidence. All three shootings are believed to have involved a 9mm handgun, marking a path of destruction that has shaken the community. He is currently being held on a $3 million bond while awaiting his court hearing, set for December 11.
As the legal proceedings advance, mourning families continue to seek answers, striving for accountability in the face of tragedy. Meanwhile, the police remain engaged in their investigation, aiming to provide closure for those impacted and restore a sense of security to a community rattled by unexpected violence.