Phoenix Man Arrested in Connection with Girlfriend’s Murder, Multi-County Pursuit
A 21-year-old man is in custody following the death of a 39-year-old woman in Phoenix and a subsequent pursuit that spanned multiple counties in Arizona. Victor Giron was arrested by Pima County deputies after a crash near Ajo, Arizona, following an investigation into the shooting death of Katherine Cervantez.
Phoenix police responded to a shooting near 12th Street and Mountain View Road around 7 p.m. on Wednesday, discovering Cervantez inside a Nissan Altima with at least one gunshot wound. She was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead.
According to court documents, the relationship between Giron and Cervantez was brief, lasting only two weeks. A friend of Cervantez revealed that the couple had a history of arguments and that Giron had previously assaulted her. The friend also reported that Giron was carrying a firearm the day before the murder.
The situation escalated on the morning of the shooting, with the couple arguing in a friend’s backyard over “alcohol and drug usage.” A disturbing exchange was overheard, with someone mentioning a stabbing and Giron allegedly threatening to shoot Cervantez. The friend asked the couple to leave, and approximately an hour later, Giron returned seeking assistance.
Giron reportedly admitted to “may have shot” Cervantez after she allegedly threatened him with a knife. He then pleaded with the friend to help her, initially refusing to allow her to call 911. After demanding and receiving his firearm back from the friend – having initially surrendered it – Giron allegedly brandished a second weapon, forcing her to relinquish it. The friend then discovered Cervantez unresponsive inside Giron’s Honda CRV.
Following this discovery, Giron allegedly fled the scene in his SUV. Cervantez’s mother confirmed to investigators that the couple had been dating for three weeks and frequently argued, and that her daughter had recently mentioned Giron keeping a gun in his vehicle.
Authorities tracked Giron’s cell phone to Gila Bend, Arizona, on Thursday morning around 9:30 a.m. A border patrol agent subsequently observed his SUV traveling on Interstate 85 toward Ajo. Shortly after, Giron crashed near the intersection of I-85 and Rasmussen Road, attempting to flee the scene before being apprehended by Pima County deputies.
Giron invoked his right to an attorney and declined to speak with detectives. He has been booked into Maricopa County jail on charges of second-degree murder and aggravated assault.
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