Arrest made in 'targeted' murder of 25-year-old Glendale Chevron employee
Glendale police announced Friday that an arrest had been made in connection to the murder of 25-year-old Irma Rivera-Martinez.
Martinez was murdered on April 21 at a Chevron gas station, where she worked, located at 51st and Glendale avenues. Officers had responded to the Chevron at around 9:19 p.m. after a clerk reported someone had been shot.
Upon arrival, officers found Rivera-Martinez on the ground in the store, having sustained more than 10 gunshot wounds, and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Glendale police spokesperson Officer Gina Winn told reporters on Friday that the clerk told officers the shooting suspect, dressed in all black, including a black mask, had entered the Chevron, walked up to Rivera-Martinez and shot in her direction 10 times.
Winn said that video surveillance corroborated the clerk's story, as the tape showed Rivera-Martinez stocking shelves when the suspect, identified by police as 20-year-old Mohammad Ataei, entered the store. Rivera-Martinez moved to another section of the store and the suspect followed before firing multiple times at her and proceeding to flee on foot.
Surveillance footage also showed the suspect arrive in a dark blue Toyota Camry, parking it in an alleyway down the street from the gas station and re-entering the vehicle after the murder with a gun in his hand, Winn said.
Cameras in the area were able to help officers pull the suspect's license plate, which showed him to be the registered owner of the Camry.
Glendale Chevron shooting: Woman shot to death in Glendale gas station; investigation underway
Police were later able to detain Ataei following an undercover surveillance operation and conducted a search of both his home and vehicle.
"During the execution of this search warrant, our detectives located the same clothing which was worn during the homicide as well as the firearm which we believe to be involved with the homicide," Winn told reporters Friday.
Police are still unsure of the relationship between Ataei and Rivera-Martinez as well as a motive, but do believe it to be a targeted attack, Winn said.
Ataei was arrested and booked without incident, and is being charged with one count of first-degree premeditated murder.
No other information had been released as the investigation remained ongoing.
A GoFundMe for Martinez funeral expenses was created by her cousin. Those who would like to donate can visit the site here.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arrest made in fatal shooting of Glendale Chevron employee