Just before 11 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch received multiple calls with reports of a shooting on the 4000 block of Top O the Morning in Rimrock.
Once YCSO deputies arrived on scene, they found a large group of people at a party where two 27-year-old men, Rafael Zapata, of Camp Verde, and Efrain Ruiz-Arreola, of Rimrock, had been fatally shot and a third person, Edgar Arreola, 22, of Rimrock, suffered a minor gunshot wound.
YCSO detectives worked through the night conducting interviews and were confident that all subjects involved in the shooting have been identified and located.
The incident occurred at a large party that was being held in Rimrock, according to YCSO. Arreola stated Zapata was trying to fight people at the party and was told to leave.
Eyewitnesses reported that after the altercation, Zapata was attempting to leave with his companions. Partygoers surrounded Zapata’s car and reportedly knocked out one of the windows. Zapata then allegedly produced a gun and fired into the crowd, striking Efrain Ruiz-Arreola, killing him.
After Ruiz-Arreola had been shot, Arreola reportedly produced his own with his Glock 9mm pistol and fired into the car, striking Zapata multiple times.
After Zapata was clearly incapacitated and no longer an imminent threat, deputies allege Edgar Arreola allegedly circled the car to the other side and fired again at Zapata.
Zapata and Ruiz-Arreola both died from their injuries. At some point during the gunfire, Arreola was struck and wounded.
Arreola reportedly admitted to shooting Zapata after Zapata pulled a gun and began shooting at him and other people at the party.
On Sunday, Oct. 16, at approximately 6 a.m., Arreola was arrested and booked into the Yavapai County Detention Center on charges of first-degree murder for knowingly and intentionally shooting and killing Zapata.
The above information was corroborated with multiple interviews of witnesses at the scene.
YCSO criminal detectives are continuing the investigation into the details of the shootings and will provide further information as becomes available.
