On February 11, 2024, a dispute in a Taco Bell drive-thru escalated into a lethal shooting, resulting in the death of 24-year-old Adrian Garduno. The incident occurred near the crossroads of Prasada Parkway and Waddell Road in Surprise, Arizona around 1:30 p.m.
The Surprise Police Department (SPD) reported that the altercation started between individuals in two separate vehicles in the drive-thru lane. Garduno emerged from one of the vehicles, brandishing a firearm at the occupants of the other vehicle. A male adult from the second vehicle responded by drawing his own firearm and firing several shots at Garduno, hitting him multiple times.
Upon their arrival, police officers found Garduno with gunshot injuries. Despite attempts to save him, he was declared dead at the scene. The shooter remained on site, complying with law enforcement officials. After being questioned, he was released without charges as the investigation continues.
The case has been forwarded to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for review by the SPD. No additional injuries were reported, and there are no pending suspects in the case according to the current investigation status. Details about the identities of the other individuals involved or what triggered the argument have not been released by the authorities.
The incident underscores the potential for public arguments to turn violent, particularly when guns are involved. The SPD emphasized the need for conflict de-escalation and urged the public to seek assistance from law enforcement when necessary.
The area around the Taco Bell was sealed off for crime scene investigation. Detectives have been gathering evidence and conducting interviews to ascertain the details of the altercation.
The Taco Bell where the shooting took place has not issued a statement about the incident. The local restaurant was closed in the aftermath of the shooting, and there has been no suggestion of a continued threat to the public in the vicinity.
