The Buckeye community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of 16-year-old Rylee Montgomery, who was killed in a deadly shooting near Elwood Street and 257th Lane on the evening of May 14, 2026.
According to Buckeye Police, officers responded around 8:15 p.m. to reports of shots fired in the area. When they arrived, they found three female victims suffering from gunshot wounds outside a home. Despite emergency efforts, Rylee Montgomery, who was also pregnant, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two other victims—a 17-year-old pregnant girl and a 22-year-old woman—were transported to the hospital in critical condition, where they remain under medical care as family members pray for their recovery.
Loved ones are now grieving the devastating and sudden loss of Rylee, remembering her as a young life taken far too soon. Family and friends are left struggling to process the tragedy, holding onto memories while facing an unimaginable loss.
Authorities later identified 18-year-old Michael Sanchez as the suspect in the shooting. Police said he was taken into custody in Avondale with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service and Avondale Police Department. He has been booked into jail on multiple felony charges.
As the investigation continues, Buckeye Police have expressed gratitude to assisting agencies and the community for their support in quickly locating the suspect.
The city now mourns alongside the family of Rylee Montgomery, as they navigate profound grief and heartbreak following the violent incident.
