BREAKING NEWS

Police identify Phoenix man fatally shot in his driveway after checking noise

Austin Grad and Samie Gebers
The Republic | azcentral.com
A Phoenix man was fatally shot in his driveway on the 4900 block of West Crocus Drive on the night of Feb.18, 2018.

Corrections & Clarifications: This story has been updated with new information from police that corrects the address where the incident occurred.

Police have identified 34-year-old Allen Saka as the Phoenix man who was fatally shot in his driveway after going outside to investigate a noise Sunday night.

Witnesses reported that Saka opened his garage door after he heard a noise in the front of his home at about 10:30 p.m. near 51st Avenue and Thunderbird Road.

Police believe Saka was shot during a confrontation with one or more people. Neighbors told The Arizona Republic they heard at least two gunshots. Saka was pronounced dead at a hospital.

On Monday, detectives were especially keen to speak to people "who may have observed any unknown person or persons walking in the area or evidence that their vehicle may have been broken into or rummaged through," according to a statement from Phoenix police Sgt. Jonathan Howard.

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There were rumblings in the neighborhood on Monday that someone had been trying to break into the white Chevrolet Avalanche in Saka's driveway when he was shot.

The rear window of the Avalanche was busted out. 

It happened at a home in a cul-de-sac that shares a wall with Sunburst Elementary School. 

“This is a quiet neighborhood," neighbor Victoria Fernandez said. "And so for that to just happen, it’s kind of like, a wake-up call."

Fernandez was at home with her nieces when she heard gunshots. Eventually, she saw law enforcement outside and heard someone speaking loudly, telling people to stay inside their homes.

Danielle Jauregui, another neighbor, said she ran upstairs when she heard the bangs. 

“I couldn’t see anything, but I could hear the lady screaming, so I called 911," she said. 

Jauregui said that K-9s and helicopters were searching the area after the incident.

“It can happen anywhere, but it is uncomfortable when it happens in your own neighborhood, especially when you have children," she said. "And I have a child that is the same age the (victim) has. You know, it hits close to home."

Neighbors said Saka and his family were renters and lived at the residence for less than a year.

Authorities encourage anyone with information to call Phoenix police at 602-262-6151 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.

Return to azcentral.com for updates.

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