West Valley shooting victim dies 8 days, suspect in custody

PHOENIX – The suspect in a West Valley shooting last month will be charged with first-degree murder after the victim died a week later, authorities announced Tuesday.

According to Surprise police, Roger Diaz, 23, is accused of shooting 35-year-old Isaiah Rivera on September 19 in Surprise.

Around 11:30 p.m., officers went to a home near Greenway Road and Grand Avenue and found Rivera suffering from a gunshot wound.

They performed life-saving measures until surprise firefighters arrived and took Rivera to a hospital in critical condition.

Investigators identified Diaz as the suspect and took him into custody on September 23. He was booked into jail on charges of aggravated assault, aggravated assault, aggravated assault, discharging a firearm within city limits and disorderly conduct with a deadly weapon.

Why did the West Valley shooting become a homicide?

Rivera died of his injuries on September 27. Police then worked with the Maricopa County District Attorney’s Office to file first-degree murder charges against Diaz, whose bond was set at $1 million.

Police did not say what led to the West Valley shooting. However, they said the men knew each other and that it was not a random act of violence.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call 623-222-4000 or 623-222-TIPS (8477). Tips can also be submitted via email.

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