PHOENIX (3TV / CBS 5) – Phoenix police have arrested a man in connection with a deadly weekend shootout that was originally mistaken for suicide. It happened around 4:30 a.m. on Saturday morning in a neighborhood northwest of 51st Avenue and Thomas Road. Police confirmed that officers arrested Guillermo Diaz, the victim’s friend, 41-year-old Corina Leyva. Officers found Leyva with a gunshot wound and a gun next to her right hand. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Initially, Diaz told police that he and his 7-year-old son were in bed when Leyva got upset and said she “didn’t want to be here anymore” and shot herself. Diaz then added that he tried to stop Leyva but didn’t make it in time. The child then told the police that Diaz lied and he saw Diaz grab and hit Leyva, then heard a gunshot. He added that he saw Diaz hold the gun while Leyva was on the ground. Diaz then admitted to lying to the police at first. He stated that he and Leyva had been drinking earlier that night and then started arguing. Leyva was then upset and took the gun out of the dresser when Diaz grabbed the gun. Diaz claimed the police accidentally triggered the gun and hit Leyva. He then added that it was an accident and it was not his intention to harm her. Diaz told officers he lied because he was scared and admitted moving the gun before police showed up for murder, a count of possession of a gun by a prohibited person and a count of tampering with physical evidence. Copyright 2021 KPHO / KTVK (KPHO Rundfunkgesellschaft). All rights reserved.
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