Man killed outside north Phoenix strip club

One man was shot to death and another wounded at a north Phoenix strip club early Friday morning, authorities said.

A 34-year-old man and his ex-wife left a strip club in the 1900 block of North Black Canyon Highway at about 2:30 a.m. and were walking through the parking lot to the ex-wife's car when Gabriel Rayos, 26, began talking to them, according to Sgt. Steve Martos of the Phoenix Police Department.

The conversation quickly turned hostile and police suspect Rayos pulled out a handgun and shot the man multiple times, Marto said.

Rayos then ran to his vehicle to attempt to flee, Martos said. As Rayos was getting in his car, another 34-year-old man confronted him. Rayos and the man began struggling over the gun in the vehicle, according to police.

Other bystanders stepped in and restrained Rayos while they waited for police to arrive, Martos said.

The man who was shot was taken to an area hospital and pronounced dead.

The other 34-year-old man sustained minor injuries during his confrontation with Rayos, Martos said.

There was no information as to whether the ex-wife was harmed.

Rayos was taken into custody on suspicion of first-degree murder.

The names of the victims had not been released.

Mar. 4, 2011

azcentral.com