On Sunday, February 11, 2024, a dispute in a Taco Bell drive-thru in Surprise, Arizona, escalated into a fatal shooting. The victim was identified as 24-year-old Adrian Garduno. The incident unfolded around 1:30 p.m. near Prasada Parkway and Waddell Road.
The Surprise Police Department (SPD) reported that the incident started as a verbal disagreement between people in two different vehicles in the drive-thru lane. Garduno, who was in one of the vehicles, exited his car and brandished a firearm, aiming it at the occupants of the other vehicle. In reaction, an adult male from the other vehicle pulled out his own gun and fired several shots at Garduno, hitting him multiple times.
Upon arrival, the law enforcement officers found Garduno suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite attempts to save him, Garduno was declared dead at the scene. The shooter stayed at the location and cooperated with the police. He was released without charges after the initial questioning, pending further investigation.
The SPD has forwarded the case to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for review. No other injuries were reported from the incident, and there are no outstanding suspects according to the current status of the investigation. The authorities have not disclosed any additional information about the identities of the individuals involved in the incident or the cause of the initial argument.
This fatal incident highlights the potential danger of public altercations, particularly those involving firearms. The SPD emphasized the significance of conflict de-escalation and encouraged the public to seek the aid of law enforcement in such situations.
The area around the Taco Bell was designated as a crime scene, and detectives have been collecting evidence and conducting interviews to establish the details of the altercation.
The Taco Bell was closed after the event, and there are no indications of a continued threat to the public in the vicinity.
