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Police identify suspect, victim in deadly shooting at Scottsdale store
Posted
Independent Newsmedia
Police say a suspect shot and killed a 35-year-old man following three robberies at convenience stores in Mesa and Scottsdale.
Scottsdale police said a shooting broke out around 3 a.m. Friday, July 3 at a Circle K near 81st Street and Indian School Road.
Police said the suspect entered the Circle K and committed an armed robbery, shooting at the store clerk in the process. A bystander then entered the store, and the suspect shot and killed him, police said.
After exiting the store, the suspect engaged in a shooting with a second bystander, during which the suspect was killed, police said. The bystander sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to a hospital.
The suspect was identified as Robert Blackwater, 38.
Police learned the two bystander victims arrived at the Circle K in the same vehicle. The passenger of the vehicle, identified as Joseph Toki, 35, had entered the Circle K while his friend remained in the driver's seat.
Police said Mr. Toki was shot and killed by the suspect just inside the doors of the business.
Police said the suspect exited the business, noticed the second bystander in his vehicle, and immediately fired rounds from his gun at the vehicle.
Police said the driver was shot as he exited his vehicle, but he was able to return fire with his own gun, striking the suspect.
Evidence at the scene showed that there was a second suspect waiting in a vehicle parked on the side of the business, police said. That person exited the suspect vehicle and fled the scene on foot just after the shooting, police said. The second suspect was arrested the afternoon of Friday, July 3. Police identified him Bryan Christopher Lee Washington, 32. He faces murder and armed robbery charges. He was jailed in lieu of $2.5 million bond with court dates July 10 and 13.
Police also learned Robert Blackwater was involved in two other armed robberies before the shootings: the first around 11:40 p.m. Thursday, July 2 at a Circle K near Loop 101 and Shea Boulevard, and the other around 2:15 a.m. at a Circle K at 1550 N. Country Club Drive in Mesa. Police said the suspect also fired rounds at those locations but no one was struck.
