Phoenix family increases reward for information leading to arrest in shooting of two cousins

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Nearly two years have passed since two cousins ​​were shot and killed at a house party in south Phoenix, and now the family has increased the reward by thousands of dollars if silent witnesses have information that leads to an arrest.

On what would have been Robert Puentes' 23rd birthday, his family is forced to celebrate his life at the cemetery. Since no suspects have been identified, the family has contributed its own money to the silent witness reward, which now stands at $12,000. “It's hard for us to celebrate a birthday without that person being here,” said Xena Shikenjanski, who is related to both victims.

She and her family gathered Thursday to remember two people who lost their lives far too soon. “The week he was killed, he had just turned 21, so of course they went out to celebrate. They did what normal 21-year-olds do,” Shikenjanski said.

The shooting occurred on Sunday, August 28, 2022, in the backyard of a home near 27th Street and South Mountain Avenue, where a party was taking place. Around 2 a.m., both Puentes and Xavier Martinez were shot, according to police. “We just hope that two years have passed and these kids or young adults have matured,” Shikenjanski said. “They have families of their own, children of their own, and they feel the pain that we feel.”

Phoenix police and the silent witnesses have never identified a suspect, but the family insists none of them were confrontational and continues to push for answers. “More than anything, we just want these people caught,” she said.

She says it was difficult to find credible leads and thanks to a family friend they were able to increase the reward they had originally offered. “These days $2,000 just isn't enough to get people talking and he was generous enough to donate $10,000 and bump it up to $12,000,” she said. “We hope people will move on from the label of being a snitch and see it as me doing the right thing.”

If you have a tip, you can submit it anonymously online or call 480-Witness.

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