PHOENIX—Ryan Elliott Giroux (D.O.B. 12/26/73) was sentenced today to Natural Life in the Department of Corrections for one count of murder plus 81 years for an additional 22 counts including one count of attempted murder and eight counts of aggravated assault, in addition to multiple charges of armed robbery, burglary and kidnapping stemming from a March 18, 2015 shooting spree in Mesa. During a court proceeding on January 25, 2016, he pled guilty to all counts.
“The defendant is an extremely dangerous individual whose random, violent actions have proven he cannot be part of society,” said County Attorney Bill Montgomery. “Today’s sentence ensures that he will not return to our community.”
Giroux’s rampage wounded several people and killed one. It began at the Tri-City Motel, where he shot and killed one victim, then shot the victim’s mother, wounding her. A woman nearby witnessed the shooting and ran to hide behind a parked car. The defendant aimed the gun, attempting to shoot at her, but the gun did not fire.
The defendant then fled on foot, continuing to fire his gun randomly. He fired at a passing car, striking the driver side mirror. He then walked across the street to a restaurant on the campus of East Valley Institute of Technology, and attempted to get car keys from those inside. He shot and injured a student, and pointed a gun at another. He used his gun to get keys from a teacher, and stole the teacher’s car.
The defendant drove a short distance to an apartment complex and held up another victim, but gave up after not being able to find his keys. The defendant went to a second apartment complex, unsuccessfully attempted to get keys to another car from another victim and shot him. The defendant then ran to the apartment complex across the street and held up two maintenance workers. He stole truck keys from one, shot him but missed, then shot at the other worker repeatedly, striking the second worker four times.
The defendant then fled the scene by hopping the wall to a neighboring condominium complex and forcing entry into an unoccupied unit. The SWAT team eventually located him on the balcony. The gun that was used for all of these offenses was found under the sink.
Giroux is a repeat offender, with nine prior convictions. He served time for attempted aggravated assault while trying to reach his gun during a struggle with officers who were arresting him. At the time of the incident, he was on probation for possession of a weapon, for which he was prohibited because of his prior criminal record.
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