A deadly home invasion in South Phoenix ended with five people shot and three fatalities after a resident exchanged gunfire with armed intruders. The suspects were killed during the incident, while the homeowner and another person sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

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PHOENIX, AZ (3-minute read) — Three people are dead and two more were injured after a violent home invasion escalated into a deadly shootout Tuesday night in a South Phoenix neighborhood, according to authorities.

Phoenix Police say the incident began around 9 p.m. on September 23 at a residence near 24th Street and Southern Avenue. Two men reportedly forced their way through the front door, at least one of them armed, and entered the home. Inside, a resident responded by firing back with their own firearm.

According to police, the homeowner shot one of the suspects and retreated to a bedroom to take cover. Moments later, after hearing screams from another person inside the house, the resident came out and fired again, striking the second suspect. During the exchange, the resident was also shot.

Deadly Home Invasion Unfolds Across Multiple Scenes

When officers arrived on the scene, they encountered a chaotic situation. Three men were found with gunshot wounds; two inside the residence and one in a nearby alley. All three were pronounced dead.

Police identified the deceased suspects as 40-year-old David Rashad and 20-year-old Davontae Fletcher. The third fatality, 23-year-old Steven Brooks, was believed to be inside the home at the time of the invasion and was found in an alley, apparently trying to escape.

Two more adults, including the homeowner, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to a local hospital.

Adding to the confusion, one man was discovered with gunshot wounds inside a car at the scene of a nearby accident, and another called 911 from outside a nearby Burger King. Investigators are working to determine how these individuals were connected to the events at the home.

Sgt. Lorraine Fernandez of the Phoenix Police Department confirmed that the two deceased individuals inside the home were the alleged intruders. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not yet determined whether any of the individuals involved knew each other prior to the incident.

Safety Tip: If you keep a firearm at home for self-defense, ensure everyone in the household knows how to use it safely, and that it’s stored securely to prevent unauthorized access.