Phoenix, January 3, 2026
Phoenix has seen a rise in violent incidents, including a shocking teenager shooting, a fatal New Year’s Day stabbing, and a deadly shooting. Concurrently, traffic accidents have also escalated, with a woman critically injured in an electric scooter crash. The city’s air quality has worsened post-New Year celebrations, raising health alarms. These incidents underline ongoing public safety challenges in the community.
Phoenix
Phoenix has experienced a series of significant incidents in the past 48 hours, ranging from violent crimes leading to serious injuries and fatalities to severe traffic collisions and a city-wide air quality alert. Law enforcement agencies are actively investigating multiple cases, including a recent shooting that left a teenager hospitalized with serious injuries, a deadly New Year’s Day stabbing, and a fatal shooting on Friday afternoon. These incidents underscore ongoing public safety concerns across the metropolitan area.
Recent Violent Incidents
Teen Seriously Injured in Central Phoenix Shooting
A teenage boy was hospitalized with serious injuries following a shooting late Friday night near the intersection of 7th and Garfield streets in Phoenix. Police responded to reports of gunfire just after 10 p.m. on Friday, January 2, 2026. Upon arrival, officers located the teen, who had sustained at least one gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation as authorities work to determine what led to the incident and identify any suspects involved.
Arrest Made in Deadly New Year’s Day Stabbing
Authorities have apprehended a 19-year-old suspect in connection with a fatal stabbing that occurred in south Phoenix on New Year’s Day. The incident, which resulted in the death of 34-year-old Gilbert Ray Ayonayon II, took place shortly before 2 a.m. on January 1, 2026, near 16th Street and Southern Avenue. Phoenix police officers, responding to reports of a stabbing, found the victim suffering from a stab wound. He later died at the hospital. The suspect, identified as Frank J. Martinez, was arrested after he reportedly returned to the scene of the incident. The investigation into the stabbing is ongoing.
Fatal Shooting Reported in North Phoenix
Another violent incident unfolded Friday afternoon in north Phoenix, where one man was killed and another was injured in a shooting near 19th Avenue and Bell Road. Police responded to the scene on January 2, 2026. Details regarding the identities of the victims and the events leading up to the shooting have not yet been released. Law enforcement officials are actively searching for suspects involved in this fatal encounter.
Significant Traffic Incidents
Woman Critically Injured in Electric Scooter Crash
A woman sustained life-threatening injuries after being struck by a vehicle while riding an electric scooter early Thursday morning, January 1, 2026, in Phoenix. The collision occurred a little after 1 a.m. near 43rd Avenue and Bethany Home Road. Emergency services transported the woman to a nearby hospital. Authorities quickly located the vehicle involved in the crash and detained its driver. The incident is currently under investigation to determine the exact cause and any contributing factors.
Pedestrian Seriously Injured by Teenage Driver
A pedestrian suffered serious injuries on New Year’s Eve after being hit by a vehicle whose 15-year-old driver allegedly ran a red light. The crash occurred near 75th Avenue and Camelback Road on December 31, 2025. Police reported that the teenage driver collided with another vehicle before striking the pedestrian in the intersection. The condition of the pedestrian and further details of the investigation are pending.
Public Health Alert
Unhealthy Air Quality Following New Year’s Eve Celebrations
Phoenix residents experienced “unhealthy” levels of air pollution in various parts of the Valley following New Year’s Eve celebrations. As of 8 a.m. on January 1, 2026, areas of south Phoenix registered air quality deemed “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” while parts of the East Valley were categorized as having “moderate” air quality. The Maricopa County Air Quality Department indicated that approximately half of the smoke pollution observed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day resulted from ground-level fireworks. When air quality reaches unhealthy levels, individuals with respiratory conditions, the elderly, and children face the highest risk of experiencing adverse respiratory effects. An area of Mesa also briefly reached “unhealthy” levels for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the early morning hours of January 1 before improving to a “moderate” category.
These recent events highlight the diverse challenges facing the Phoenix community at the start of the new year, from addressing violent crime and ensuring traffic safety to managing environmental impacts. Local authorities continue to work on these investigations and public safety initiatives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When did the teen shooting near 7th and Garfield streets occur?
The teen shooting occurred just after 10 p.m. on Friday, January 2, 2026, near 7th and Garfield streets in Phoenix.
What was the outcome of the New Year’s Day stabbing?
The New Year’s Day stabbing resulted in the death of 34-year-old Gilbert Ray Ayonayon II, and a 19-year-old suspect, Frank J. Martinez, was arrested in connection with the incident.
Where did the fatal shooting on Friday afternoon take place?
The fatal shooting on Friday afternoon, January 2, 2026, occurred near 19th Avenue and Bell Road in Phoenix.
What were the injuries sustained in the electric scooter crash?
A woman riding an electric scooter was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after being hit by a vehicle.
What caused the unhealthy air quality in Phoenix on New Year’s Day?
The unhealthy air quality in parts of Phoenix on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2026, was primarily caused by ground-level fireworks from New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Who is most at risk from unhealthy air quality?
Residents with respiratory disease, elder residents, and children are considered most at risk when air quality reaches unhealthy levels.
Summary of Recent Phoenix Incidents (Last 48 Hours)
| Incident Type | Date/Time | Location | Key Outcome/Status | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teen Shooting | Jan 2, 2026 (after 10 p.m.) | Near 7th and Garfield streets | Teen boy seriously injured, hospitalized; investigation ongoing. | Local |
| Deadly Stabbing | Jan 1, 2026 (before 2 a.m.) | Near 16th Street and Southern Avenue | One fatality (Gilbert Ray Ayonayon II); 19-year-old Frank J. Martinez arrested. | Local |
| Fatal Shooting | Jan 2, 2026 (afternoon) | Near 19th Avenue and Bell Road | One fatality, one injured; suspects sought. | Local |
| Electric Scooter Crash | Jan 1, 2026 (after 1 a.m.) | Near 43rd Avenue and Bethany Home Road | Woman severely injured (life-threatening); driver detained. | Local |
| Pedestrian Injured by Teen Driver | Dec 31, 2025 (New Year’s Eve) | Near 75th Avenue and Camelback Road | Pedestrian seriously injured; 15-year-old driver ran red light. | Local |
| Unhealthy Air Quality | Jan 1, 2026 (morning) | Parts of South Phoenix, East Valley, Mesa | “Unhealthy” air quality due to fireworks; risk to sensitive groups. | State-level (Maricopa County) |
Now Happening on X
- @FOX10Phoenix (December 30, 2025, 11:00 PM): Nightly roundup covers a missing 19-year-old believed to be in imminent danger and new details in a Pinetop woman’s murder case. View on X
- @FOX10Phoenix (December 28, 2025, 11:00 PM): Nightly roundup includes a suspected drunken driver hitting and killing a pedestrian, along with updates on advances in the JonBenet Ramsey murder case. View on X
- @azcentral (December 28, 2025, 11:45 AM): Police investigation shuts down parts of Valley Metro light rail in the Phoenix area. View on X
- @FOX10Phoenix (December 29, 2025, 11:00 PM): Nightly roundup reports multiple injuries from a shooting in downtown Phoenix and a Valley inmate killed in an altercation with a cellmate. View on X
- @abc15 (December 28, 2025, 10:05 AM): Four people hospitalized after an early-morning shooting near 1st Street and Washington Street in downtown Phoenix, with one in life-threatening condition. View on X
- @Darkhorse_lionheart (December 29, 2025, 2:47 PM): SWAT team arrests a person of interest near 100 W Thomas in connection to a downtown Phoenix shooting that injured four people. View on X
- @FOX10Phoenix (December 29, 2025, 6:00 PM): Morning headlines include a SWAT incident in Scottsdale leading to an arrest and an officer hospitalized after a rollover crash in Phoenix. View on X
- @abc15 (December 29, 2025, 2:48 PM): A 22-year-old man arrested in connection to the previous day’s downtown Phoenix shooting that injured four people. View on X
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Arrest Made in New Year’s Day Stabbing in Phoenix
Man Dies in New Year’s Day Shooting Following Family Dispute
Fatal Shooting in North Phoenix Leaves One Dead
Shooting Incident Leaves Two Injured in West Phoenix
Phoenix Records Significant Drop in Homicides and Violent Crime
Fatal Shooting in North Central Phoenix Under Investigation
Man Shot in Face on New Year’s Eve Morning in West Phoenix
Fatal Light Rail Crash in Central Phoenix
Inmate Death Under Investigation at Buckeye Prison
Downtown Phoenix Shooting: Four Injured, Investigation Underway
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
