At approximately 5 a.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2026, a road rage incident escalated into a shooting near Interstate 10 and 32nd Street in Phoenix. During the encounter, a male suspect in a Dodge Charger shot at the victim driver of a Chevrolet Malibu and inadvertently struck his own vehicle before fleeing the scene.

The victim pursued the suspect off of I-10 while calling 911. As the suspect fled, he drove off the roadway and crashed, causing his vehicle to overturn. Shortly after, the victim’s vehicle also left the roadway and collided with the overturned vehicle.

After the crash, the suspect exited his vehicle and robbed the victim. Phoenix Police Department officers arrived on the scene shortly after and took the suspect into custody. A firearm believed to have been used in the incident was recovered in nearby landscaping. The suspect and evidence were turned over to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) Major Crimes Unit for further investigation.

The suspect, 18-year-old Eder Soto Torres, of Phoenix, was booked into the Maricopa County Jail on multiple charges, including drive-by shooting, aggravated assault, and armed robbery. He is being held on a $100,000 bond. The investigation is ongoing.

Road Rage Safety

AZDPS encourages all motorists to prioritize safety when confronted with extremely aggressive driving or road rage:

• Do not engage with road rage. Avoid making gestures, shouting, tailgating, etc.
• Create distance between your vehicle and the other driver when safely possible.
• Call 911 as soon as you can do so safely. Report details such as license plate, vehicle make and model, and driver/occupant descriptions.
• If safe to do so, document the incident using a dash camera or with help from a passenger.

Road safety is our priority. Keep your cool, avoid confrontations, and call 911 if you feel unsafe.

On Thursday, March 12, 2026, detectives with the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) State Gang Task Force arrested six suspects in the area of Camelback Road and 35th Avenue in Phoenix. The arrests followed an ongoing investigation into suspected drug trafficking.

During the operation, detectives seized approximately 4.4 pounds of suspected fentanyl powder and an AR15 rifle equipped with a drum magazine. The suspects—five adults and one juvenile—face charges including possession of a narcotic drug for sale. Five of the suspects are documented transnational gang members.

This case demonstrates the strong, coordinated efforts of the State Gang Task Force. Detectives’ work led to the removal of dangerous drugs and a high-capacity weapon from the community.

The Department is grateful for the support provided by our law enforcement partners throughout this investigation.

Detectives with the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) Vehicular Crimes Unit (VCU), with assistance from the United States Marshals Service (USMS), located and arrested the suspect in a December 2024 collision that resulted in three fatalities and multiple serious injuries.

On December 7, 2024, at approximately 2:15 p.m., VCU detectives responded to a fatal collision on southbound U.S. 93 near milepost 175, in Congress, AZ. During the investigation, detectives determined that Amy Lynn Mickelson, 48, was impaired when she drove her BMW sedan across the center line and struck a Toyota Sienna minivan head-on.

Three occupants of the Sienna were pronounced deceased at the scene. The remaining four occupants, all minor children between the ages of 5 and 16, were transported for medical treatment with serious physical injuries.

Following the collision, Mickelson fled Arizona and established residence in Utah. VCU detectives requested assistance from the USMS to locate and apprehend her. With the support of deputies assigned to the USMS, Mickelson was arrested outside a convenience store in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Thursday, March 19, 2026.

She was booked into the Weber County Jail and is being held without bond pending extradition to Yavapai County.

Mickelson faces the following charges:

• Three counts of second-degree murder
• Seven counts of aggravated assault
• Two counts of felony endangerment
• One count of criminal damage
• One count of aggravated DUI

This arrest demonstrates the determination of VCU detectives and their commitment to pursuing justice for the victims and families.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety thanks the United States Marshals Service for their assistance and support in this investigation.