Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell has confirmed the sentencing of three individuals involved in a fatal gang-related drive-by shooting. Alfred Gary, Freddy Patterson, and Charles Adams have been sentenced for their roles in the incident that resulted in the death of a 5-year-old boy.
The event occurred in March 2023 when the defendants approached a black Impala at a red light near 48th Street and Broadway Road in Tempe. The car contained seven people, primarily children and teenagers. The defendants fired over 20 rounds into the vehicle, killing a young boy and injuring two others—a 17-year-old boy and an 8-year-old girl.
Following the shooting, the defendants returned to the scene after picking up dinner to record a video boasting about their actions with fellow gang members. Investigations revealed that Patterson and Adams were documented members of a Phoenix street gang with grievances against a rival gang member who was present in the targeted vehicle.
All three pleaded guilty to several felony charges, including second-degree murder, drive-by shooting, conspiracy to commit drive-by shooting, and aggravated assault. Gary received a sentence of 16 years imprisonment, while Patterson and Adams were each sentenced to 30 years.
Additionally, Patterson and Adams received an extra five years for another drive-by shooting in Phoenix just two days prior. In that incident, they fired into a car occupied by a mother and her two children; fortunately, no one was injured.
“Those who act with no regard for human life have no place in our society,” stated County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. “My office will continue to work with law enforcement to rid our streets of illegal gang activity and put an end to the terror it brings to our community.”
