PHOENIX, AZ – A second suspect has recently been apprehended in connection with a fatal assault at a Family Dollar Store in central Phoenix. Authorities confirmed the arrest of 35-year-old Santiago Silva, brother of the previously apprehended suspect, Steven Silva, aged 38.
The incident occurred on Tuesday night when Phoenix police responded to a disturbance at the store located near 15th Avenue and Buckeye Road. On arriving at the scene, officers discovered 43-year-old Augustine Garcia with severe injuries inside the store. Despite efforts to revive him, Garcia succumbed to his injuries.
Witnesses at the store reported hearing a commotion followed by a confrontation involving three men in one of the store’s aisles. They provided descriptions of the individuals involved.
Investigations into the incident included the review of surveillance footage from the Family Dollar. The footage depicted two men matching the suspect descriptions arriving in a white van. One of the suspects was seen exiting the vehicle with an AK-47 rifle, which he later returned to the van. Instead, he retrieved a steering wheel club before entering the store. The second suspect arrived separately and entered the store as well.
Together, they attacked the victim and fled the scene with the metal object. One suspect fled in the van, while the other escaped on foot. Police identified the suspect with the rifle and metal object as Steven Silva and the second individual as Santiago Silva, his brother.
Subsequently, Steven was arrested on Wednesday, facing a first-degree murder charge in connection with Garcia’s death. Santiago was taken into custody later on, although the location of his arrest remains undisclosed.
Authorities have urged anyone with information about the case to contact them.