Avondale Police Officer Cardenas-Duarte will not be charged after shooting and killing 17-year-old Amarion Hope. The officer-involved shooting happened in February 2023. Police believed that Hope was a shoplifting suspect. When Officer Cardenas-Duarte approached Hope, body camera footage shows a struggle between the officer and Hope before Hope is shot while running away. Larnell Farmer, President of West Valley NAACP said, This was a child. He was 17 years old, and he did not deserve to die like this." Farmer, who was a police officer for over two decades, doesnt believe Hope was a threat to ..read more

Two students have been arrested after having a gun at school in Avondale. On Friday morning, the Avondale Police Department was made aware of two students from La Joya Community High School who were seen waving a gun from within a vehicle. School staff were able to identify those students and search the vehicle they were seen in. A handgun was located inside the vehicle, according to Avondale PD. Both juvenile students were arrested and face possible charges of weapons violations. Officials say no students or staff were threatened during the incident. No other details have been provided ..read more

A man is dead and another is hurt after a shooting early Saturday morning in Avondale. Avondale police say they were called to the area of 107th Avenue and Buckeye Road just after 4 a.m. for reports of a shooting. When officers arrived, they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to the hospital where he later died. During the investigation, police learned a second victim related to the shooting had already been taken to the hospital before officers arrived. That man is reportedly in stable condition. The victim has not been identified at this point. Police haven't yet releas ..read more

The Dysart Unified School District governing board voted to cut all social worker positions in the next school year, citing there isnt a sustainable funding source to keep them going. The 3-2 vote happened in November and in Decembers board meeting community members continued to come out to express their gratitude and for others their disappointment in the district. In a board presentation in November, the district said it should cut 24 social worker positions among a few other positions for the next school year. Only 15 of those 24 positions are currently filled. The district said those posit ..read more

Avondale police say a body was found in a West Valley canal early Monday morning. Police say a canal worker near the major cross streets of 107th Avenue and Indian School Road discovered the body around 5 a.m. Avondale Fire and Medical crews were called to the scene to recover the body. The body has not yet been identified but it is believed to be that of a man, according to officials. The investigation is ongoing ..read more

Education is the family profession for the Cabreras, with three generations all choosing a career in the classroom. That includes Joel and Gabriella Cabrera who are now both teaching at West Point High School in the Tolleson Union High School District. "I decided that I wanted to become a teacher because I saw my sister be a teacher as well as my mother, my father, my grandmother. Family full of teachers and I knew, I was like, that's what I need to do," said Joel Cabrera, who teaches Business Operations. His sister, Gabriella Cabrera, teaches Government. She says for her, education means more ..read more

A Valley teen is hoping her musical dreams come true just in time for the holidays! Seventeen-year-old Joy Morris, also known as "J-Zweet," just released her holiday song, "For Christmas." The Avondale teen is a triple threat - not only does she sing, but she also writes her own music and plays the piano. And now, she's hoping to inspire people of all ages through her musical journey. "No matter what you want to be, you can put your mind to it," she explains. "I had times where I actually doubted myself and hated myself because I didn't really know how to use the gifts I had, you know? I actua ..read more

A man is seriously hurt and another is in custody after a shooting Saturday morning at a West Valley gas station. Goodyear police say they were called to the area near Dysart Road and Van Buren Street for a shooting call. When they arrived, they found a man who had been shot. He was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Another man was taken into custody at the scene without incident. That person has not yet been identified by police. Goodyear police tell ABC15 they believe a confrontation at a gas pump escalated into the shooting. They continue to investigate the incident ..read more

From restaurants to bars to popular expansions, the Valley was full of surprises when it came to new openings in 2023! Check out our list of some of the top new dining and entertainment spots that opened across the Valley this year. Did we miss any? Email us at share@abc15.com! Chic Chef 77 Bistro & Wine Bar Founded by celebrity chef Nik Fields, who is also a private chef for the Phoenix Suns  Opened on February 17 after a delayed grand opening after an alleged hit-and-run driver crashed in the Tempe location Its Arizonas first Black-owned bar 1221 E Apache Blvd. Suite #104, Tempe, AZ ..read more

Maricopa County Sheriff's Office deputies are investigating after a report of a possible drowning in the Gila River near El Mirage and Indian Springs roads. Officials were called to the area just after 5 p.m. Sunday after someone reported that they heard someone yelling for help near the river bottom. When deputies arrived, MCSO said they could not locate anyone near the water. MCSO has halted search efforts for the night, citing visibility issues. MCSO says the dive team will continue the search Monday morning. No further information is available at this time ..read more