⏱ 3 min read
On Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022, a family gathering on the Gila River Indian Community turned deadly when Francisco Juan Acevedo, 35, of Chandler, Arizona, opened fire. He killed his uncle, shot and seriously injured another uncle, and left a third victim with serious wounds. The carnage marked the beginning of a nearly three-year ordeal for justice to be served.
Acevedo’s rampage was met with swift action from authorities. The Gila River Police Department and the FBI’s Phoenix Division joined forces to investigate the crime, gathering evidence and piecing together the events of that fateful day.
After months of intense preparation, federal prosecutors brought Acevedo to trial. On October 23, 2025, a jury delivered a guilty verdict, convicting Acevedo on eight counts, including first-degree premeditated murder, assault with intent to commit murder, and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence.
On April 17, 2026, U.S. District Judge Susan M. Brnovich sentenced Acevedo to two consecutive life sentences, plus additional prison time. The verdict brought closure to the victims and their families, who had endured unimaginable trauma and suffering.
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📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Violent Crime
- Defendant: Arizona
- Location: AZ
- Source: DOJ Press Release
