The A-Block: Teen killed in El Mirage shooting, city leaders address drought concerns in Phoenix

Added: 2026-04-29

[00:00:03]Tonight, a family in Elm Mirage is mourning the loss of a 17-year-old boy shot and killed last night. Thanks for joining us for 12 News at 10. I'm Mark Curtis >> and I'm Ky the Divine. The shooting happened near Elm Mirage in Cactus Road.

[00:00:16]The teen has since been identified as Ashton Rche Evans. Tonight, we're hearing from friends and family who knew the teen.

[00:00:22]>> 12 News journalist Tani Jatang is in studio with us. And Tani, you were at the vigil. What's the family's message?

[00:00:29]It's got to be just incredibly difficult, >> Mark Bay. It really is incredibly devastating. Police tell us they received several 911 calls, hearing multiple gunshots around the neighborhood. The family tells us Evans was heading to the store when he lost his life.

[00:00:45]>> We're doing this because this is going to be our way of goodbye because we didn't really get that chance. We didn't get to see him. Uh we haven't been able to see him yet. So, this is this is us saying goodbye. That's Kylie White, the older sister of 17-year-old Ashton Rashcher Evans. She was surrounded by friends and family of her brother Tuesday evening, almost two days after the teen was shot multiple times and ultimately died at a local hospital.

[00:01:12]>> This has completely broken our family. I don't we'll never be the same. This is something where our lives are never going to be able to turn around and be okay.

[00:01:22]>> His mother, Amanda Evans, spoke, sharing moments she remembers with her son. his heart. It was so big and his hugs were everything.

[00:01:36]I mean, he was just walking to the store with his best friend.

[00:01:40]>> The vigil honoring the teen's life was held at Buenav Vida Park, a park his mother says her son grew up going to, but this time they were there for a different reason.

[00:01:49]>> And he's not with us anymore. and and I know that um nothing's going to make my son come back, but having everybody here and the love, the heart he had just like it's in you, every every single person here. This is just some of what neighbors heard Monday evening.

[00:02:08]That sound was followed by screaming and then were gunshots. The Elmarrage Police Department tells 12 News they were made aware of another juvenile who was taken to the hospital with gunshots. No word on whether the two are connected, but even as police continue to investigate, friends and family say they're working to help the family recover.

[00:02:25]>> I'm just like exhausted. But I know his mom's probably even more exhausted. So, my thought is just how can I help her alleviate some of this stress and hurt?

[00:02:38]So, I made the GoFundMe. And even if you can't donate, prayers are greatly appreciated.

[00:02:48]There are still a lot of questions surrounding what happened Monday night.

[00:02:51]Elmarrage Police Department telling us this is still an active investigation.

[00:02:56]Live in studio, I'm Tani Jatling, 12 News.

[00:02:58]>> All right, Tiana, thank you. Weeks after a Peoria High School district teacher was fired after text messages revealed an inappropriate relationship with a student, that same teacher's mother, also a teacher in the Poria district, has been placed on administrative leave.

[00:03:13]According to an email, the school district said that Amy Beck, a teacher at Coyote Hills Elementary School is now under investigation. Recently, a 2020 video of Beck simulating oral sex on her son, Tik Tok influencer Noah Beck, resurfaced. Right now, it's unclear whether the district's decision is related to the video. Beck is also the mother of Centennial High School teacher uh Haley Beck. Haley was recently fired after allegations emerged that she had groomed a student.

[00:03:46]FOR the 13th year in a row, members of the Phoenix Police Department gathered to remember the 46 officers who lost their lives in the line of duty throughout the department's history.

[00:03:57]This was the first time the ceremony was held in the department's new headquarters. It took place in front of the new memorial wall that lists the name of every fallen officer. The wall was donated by the Phoenix Police Foundation. We continue to track Arizona's depleting water supply in our ongoing series, Running Dry. And tonight, we're learning that people living in Phoenix could soon pay extra for water if they use too much.

[00:04:22]>> The city council discussed that possibility today as they prepare for significant cuts from the federal government. 12 News journalist Chase Golightly is live outside city council chambers tonight. And Chase, when could that happen, >> Mark? From the discussions held here today, it could happen at the beginning of next year. And today, Phoenix's water services department also announced it will have to rely on the city's backup water supply to make ends meet.

[00:04:53]>> The city of Phoenix is anticipating serious cuts to our water supply from the Colorado River.

[00:04:58]>> We are certainly at a point where the risk of unilateral federal action is very high. It's a day they've been preparing for and with it more action will need to be taken.

[00:05:07]>> We are not running out of water, but we will need to use our backup supplies to meet demands over the next 10 years.

[00:05:14]>> Right now, the city of Phoenix drought management plan is at stage one, which focuses on educating the public on water conservation. It's a warning that water is running out and it's worked like homeowners getting rid of the grass in their yards and using more water efficient appliances. But with these anticipated cuts at the federal level, >> we cannot conserve our way out of a problem of this magnitude.

[00:05:36]>> On Tuesday, the water services department announced by the end of the year, Phoenix will likely enter stage two of the plan where they will have to use backup water supplies to meet demand.

[00:05:47]>> It may include things like additional conservation, education, expansion of water audits, incentives, and rebates to ensure efficient use of water. It could also bring sir charges, meaning if someone uses more water than what they are allocated, they could face additional charges for it. However, the city said they have several water projects in the works.

[00:06:08]>> Phoenix is continually planning and securing additional water resources, >> including SRP looking to replace Bartlett Dam on the Verde River for increased water flow. And Phoenix retreating wastewater to reach drinking water standards. Doing what they can to prepare for the inevitable. The water challenge facing Phoenix is serious and how we respond will shape our city for many years to come.

[00:06:34]>> Now, these water cuts are going to happen no matter what. But what the city said is what would prevent the federal federal government from making that decision is that if all seven states, including Arizona, that utilize the Colorado River, come to an agreement on what those cuts should be. The problem is those discussions have been going on for years and the states can't come to an agreement. The city of Phoenix is anticipating the federal government federal government will make the decision on what those cuts will be this summer. Of course, we'll keep you updated as this develops. We're live in Phoenix. Chase Lightly, 12 News.

[00:07:08]>> Some hard decisions. Okay, Chase, thank you. Take a look at your screen.

[00:07:12]Investigators are hoping that this new image will help identify a woman who was found dead 36 years ago. She was found in Mojave County off I40 in near the Walapai Mountains in November of 1989.

[00:07:26]Deputies tell us she wasn't wearing any clothes and had red nail polish. She was believed to be somewhere between 25 and 30 years old. If you know anything, you're asked to call the Mojave County Sheriff's Office.

[00:07:37]>> A brutal killing in a Phoenix homeless encampment has now brought a long prison sentence. 22-year-old Isaiah Baskin was sentenced to 38 years for the death of Jeffrey Wug Ruro. Prosecutors say that the attack happened near the zone in downtown Phoenix back in March of 2023.

[00:07:57]Baskin allegedly moved him in a shopping cart to a dumpster, beat him with a wooden plank, and then set him on fire.

[00:08:04]Baskin pleaded guilty. Her co-conspirator Dave Dinkens is serving 42 years in prison after his sentencing last year. A transgender activist is speaking out after spending weeks inside an ICE detention center. Carla SCS says while being held at the Eloy detention center, she was placed in a men's unit, denied hormone treatment, and harassed.

[00:08:27]Signs, a leader with transer PBLO, says LGBTQ detainees face even worse treatment, and she fears retaliation for speaking out.

[00:08:38]An entire week passed before I was able to take my first shower.

[00:08:45]The guards made my life hell. They went out of their way to call me man as many times as they could to humiliate me.

[00:08:56]>> Now released signs and other advocates are demanding accountability and changes inside the facility. It has been a full day for King Charles and the Queen in Washington DC. There is more to come though from this historic visit. He met with President Trump in the Oval Office, addressed a joint meeting of Congress, and celebrated into the evening during a state dinner.

[00:09:18]>> The king's first visit to the US as a monarch. Today he reaffirmed the alliance between the US and the UK as the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine continue.

[00:09:31]After a full day of spectacle and speeches for King Charles and Queen Camila, the evening was a celebration of the significant bond between the US and Britain.

[00:09:40]>> Ours is a treasured friendship, an eternal bond, and a true story of extraordinary heroism and skill.

[00:09:50]Earlier in the day, both sides of the aisle rose in a resounding welcome for King Charles as he addressed a joint meeting of Congress. The first king to do so and only the second royal, the first, his mother, Queen Elizabeth.

[00:10:02]>> It is an era that is in many ways more volatile and more dangerous than the world to which my late mother spoke in this chamber in 1991. Though the king does not have political power, he made the point that America does and with it comes a responsibility.

[00:10:21]>> America's words carry weight and meaning as they have since independence.

[00:10:29]The actions of this great nation matter even more.

[00:10:33]>> He reminded Congress that both nations have won wars together before addressing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. That same unyielding resolve is needed for the defense of Ukraine and her most courageous people.

[00:10:49]Earlier in the day, survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse participated in a roundt discussion and requested a meeting with the king. His brother Andrew is under criminal investigation and lost his royal title amid allegations of misconduct connected to Epstein survivors. Virginia was recruited from a property owned by Donald Trump and trafficked to a member of the British royal family. Yet today, survivors are here sitting with members of Congress still fighting to be heard.

[00:11:18]>> The king did not meet with the families due to legal constraints per Buckingham Palace officials. But he did address the issue in his speech. It is the very fact of our vibrant, diverse and free societies that gives us our collective strength, including to support victims of some of the ills that so tragically exist in both our societies today.

[00:11:44]>> And after his address, the king met with tech leaders, including Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook.

[00:11:52]Tomorrow, the Key and Queen travel to New York before wrapping up their visit in Virginia on