BREAKING NEWS

Police release sketch of shooter who killed 10-year-old Phoenix girl in her driveway

Dylan McKim
The Republic | azcentral.com

Correction & Clarifications: A previous version of this article gave an incorrect reference to Summer Bell Brown's name. 

The 10-year-old girl who was shot in her driveway Wednesday night has died from her injuries, Phoenix police said Thursday.

The girl was identified by police as Summer Bell Brown, Phoenix police Sgt. Vince Lewis said in a press release.

The girl's father, Dharquintium Brown, said his daughter loved dancing, gymnastics and was on the honor roll at Holdeman Elementary School, where she received As and Bs.

"She was the sweetest person on this planet," Brown said. "She cared about everybody."

Brown described Summer as very smart, intelligent and bright. "She was a genius," he said.

Deyon Bowser, a friend and business partner of Brown, who he referred to as "Baltimore" Brown, worked together at iMix Recording Studio in Phoenix.

Bowser described Summer as a girl who spoke her mind.

"She was a very outgoing young girl," Bowser said.

This is the sketch police have released of the man who they believe fatally shot a 10-year-old girl in her driveway on April 3, 2019.

Driver fires gunshots at family

The shooting occurred about 5:45 p.m. in a neighborhood near 38th Avenue south of Interstate 10, according to Phoenix police.

Summer and her family were driving home on West Moreland Street when they noticed a white Ford F-150 4-door pickup truck following them very closely, according to a statement from police.

When Summer and her family pulled into their driveway, the truck stopped behind their car and the driver opened fire, Lewis said. 

Summer and her father were both shot and taken to a hospital in extremely critical condition. Her mother and sister were also in the car but were not injured, Lewis stated.

Brown is recovering from his injuries, but Summer died Wednesday, he said.

The person in the white truck drove away after the shooting, Lewis said. 

Police have not yet determined if the shooting was the result of a road-rage incident or something else. 

Witnesses told police they saw the white truck closely following the family's car as they got to their house, Lewis said. 

"It suggests that it could have started on the roadway, but we still are needing more information,'' Lewis explained.

Neighbors struggle to understand

A pedestrian walks past the intersection near where a 10-year-old girl was shot and killed after an unexpected incident possibly involving road rage in Phoenix, Ariz., on April 3, 2019.

Brown's neighbors want to put together a vigil, to come as one with the family and also maybe raise money for them. 

"Hopefully bring awareness to the community — the neighborhood — for everybody to get involved," said Rosanna Castro.

Castro also said they want to let the family know that they are not alone, that neighbors are here for them.

"If we're all united and stand up, maybe this thing will stop. The shootings will stop," she said.

Antonio Castro, who is related to Rosanna Castro and has a 10-month-old daughter, said he was heartbroken to see Brown lose his daughter. He saw the father being taken into an ambulance after the shooting.

"I felt that pain," Castro said. "I got my own daughter. It was heart-breaking."

Castro said he doesn't understand this "senseless shooting."

"I don't get how you can't just blow off the stress," Castro said. "I don't get why you need to shoot at all."

Police on Thursday released a sketch of the man who was in the white truck. Anyone with information about this man can call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (480-948-6377).

This is a developing story. Check back at azcentral.com for updates.