This is a developing story.
Updated: Jan. 6, 2026 at 7:43 p.m. A Miami High School student, 15-year-old Julian Quintana, was shot on Thursday at a home on the 5700 block of McKinney Ave. in Central Heights, where people were celebrating New Year’s Eve.
The investigation is ongoing, and whether the shooting was an accident or intentional is yet to be determined, said Gila County Sheriff Chief Deputy James Lahti on Friday morning.
“We know the community wants to know every bit of information,” he said. “We’ll get it out as soon as we can.”
At approximately 1:08 a.m. on Thursday, Gila County Sheriff’s office received a 911 call from a male reporting that his friend was shot by an unknown suspect who got into a white RAM vehicle and drove away on McKinney Ave.
Updated information from the sheriff’s office indicates the suspect fled on foot and may have been picked up in an unknown vehicle.
Gila County Sheriff’s Office and the Globe Police Department responded to the call.
Law enforcement officers found Quintana on the scene not breathing and performed life saving measures until medical personnel arrived.
He was transported to Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center and then transferred to a hospital in Phoenix. He died at the hospital later that day from his injuries.
A person of interest, nineteen-year-old Deshawn Tarango, has been identified in relation to the incident. Lahti said that, as of Friday morning, law enforcement was not releasing photos of Tarango because he is only a person of interest in the incident. He said Tarango was yet to be found. Anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts should contact local law enforcement.
“Sheriff Shepherd and the Gila County Sheriff’s Office offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the juvenile victim,” the sheriff’s office said in a public statement released Thursday. “We would also like to acknowledge and thank the many first responders who worked through the early morning hours and who continue their efforts to locate anyone responsible.”
District and community support teams will be available on campus at Miami Unified School District beginning Jan. 5 to provide counseling and emotional support to students and staff.
“We are also working closely with the student’s family to honor their wishes and determine appropriate ways to remember their child within our school community,” said Dr. Richard Ramos, the school district’s superintendent.
A candlelight vigil was arranged in honor of Quintana on Monday evening at Ragus Stadium at Miami High School.
An online fundraiser has been created on behalf of the Quintana family to cover the funeral and other related expenses. Click here to visit the spotfund fundraiser page.
Memorial Services will be held on Jan. 24 at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in Miami at 9:30 a.m.
If anyone has further information in relation to the incident, please contact Gila County Sheriff’s Office, Detective’s Division, at 928-402-1872.
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