Parking dispute leads to deadly shooting in north Phoenix: PD

INDEPENDENT MEDIA

A 32-year-old man is dead following a weekend shooting following a parking incident, Phoenix police said.

The suspect in the shooting claimed self-defense, telling investigators that the victim was coming at him with a knife, according to a statement from the Phoenix Police Department.

Officers responded around 9:20 p.m. on June 15 to a shooting near 3060 West Agua Fria Freeway.

Upon arrival, they contacted the suspected shooter, Shannon Ritch, 53, and confiscated a firearm from him without incident, police said.

The victim, Alejandro Samplina, was on the ground in the parking lot and transported to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

A preliminary investigation revealed that Samplina had been involved in a dispute with Ritch “over a parking issue.”

“During the argument, Samplina pulled out a knife and chased Ritch around his vehicle. Ritch was able to retrieve his handgun through the open door of his vehicle,” the release states.

Samplina continued to walk toward Ritch with the knife in a “threatening manner, in response, Ritch fired one bullet, striking Samplina,” according to the release.

Ritch gave a statement of self-defense to investigators that was consistent with witnesses and surveillance video, police said. He was released. The charges will be submitted to the Maricopa County Prosecutor's Office for review.

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