Police say a woman opened fire toward a townhome shortly after 12:30 p.m., wounding a 4-year-old boy.
PHOENIX, AZ — A 4-year-old boy was shot in the face Tuesday afternoon during a dispute outside a south Phoenix townhome, and the shooter and an accomplice fled before officers arrived, police said. The gunfire was reported just after 12:30 p.m. near 32nd Street and Broadway Road.
The case has drawn swift attention because the gunfire happened in broad daylight in a dense residential complex and injured a young child. Phoenix police described the shooting as “concerning” and “brazen” and said detectives are still piecing together the sequence of events. As of Wednesday, no arrests had been announced. Investigators said early evidence points to a domestic-related confrontation outside the residence that escalated when a woman produced a firearm and fired toward the home, striking the child inside.
Neighbors reported hearing shouting moments before the shots. Home security video reviewed by investigators captured a woman outside the unit demanding someone come out, then pulling what appeared to be a rifle and firing toward the door, according to police summaries. The gunfire struck the child, identified by relatives as 4-year-old Qahsiem Sinclair, who was inside with family members. “The bullet went through his lip and out of his cheek,” the child’s grandmother, Laresha Mason, said in an interview, calling the attack reckless and terrifying. Officers and firefighters arrived within minutes and rushed the boy to a hospital with injuries described as serious but not life-threatening.
Police said the shooter and at least one other person left the area in a vehicle before first responders reached the scene. Detectives collected shell casings and canvassed the Somo Lofts townhome complex for additional video that might show the suspects’ faces, clothing or license plates. Officials did not release suspect names or a detailed vehicle description and said motive remains under investigation. Relatives said the child underwent surgery and was stabilized; hospital officials did not provide an update, citing privacy rules. Investigators are reviewing the home-security recording frame by frame to confirm the type of weapon seen and to time-stamp the movements of everyone present during the minute leading to the gunfire.
The complex sits along a busy corridor where townhomes back up to shared courtyards and parking rows, putting families and passersby within close range of any confrontation. Midday shootings in residential areas have prompted heightened concern among Phoenix leaders in recent years, particularly when disputes spill into common areas or doorways. Police noted Tuesday’s violence occurred during school break hours when many families were home. Records show patrol units have responded to the broader neighborhood for a mix of disturbance calls and vehicle thefts in recent months, though officials said it’s too early to link any prior calls to Tuesday’s dispute. Residents who spoke near the scene said they had seen unfamiliar cars earlier in the day but did not notice a license plate before the vehicle sped away.
Detectives from the violent crimes bureau are leading the case with assistance from the crime lab. Investigators spent Wednesday collecting sworn statements, processing physical evidence and tracing potential witnesses captured on neighborhood cameras. Police said they will release still images from the video if they can clarify suspect identities without compromising the investigation. No criminal charges had been filed as of Wednesday evening. If arrests are made, initial court appearances would likely occur later this week in Maricopa County Superior Court, followed by a probable-cause review within 48 hours of booking. Officials said they plan to brief reporters again if major developments occur or if new video leads produce a name for the shooter.
By late afternoon, yellow tape still ringed the unit’s front walkway as technicians photographed scuffs and bullet impacts around the doorway. A neighbor described parents carrying the injured boy to waiting medics, his face bandaged as firefighters loaded him into an ambulance. “No one cared who was in the house; they just opened fire,” Mason said, adding that the family is focused on the child’s recovery. Police reiterated that the child is expected to survive. Residents said they were startled by the daytime gunfire and worried the attackers might return, but officers increased patrols in the area while detectives continued interviews through the evening.
As of Wednesday night, police said the suspects remained at large and the investigation was active. Detectives expect to analyze additional video overnight and into Thursday and will update the public if they identify the shooter or a vehicle involved. The boy remained hospitalized in stable condition after surgery earlier in the day.
Author note: Last updated January 7, 2026.