One suspect dead, second arrested in Southside murder

A person shot dead on September 13 in the south of the city has been arrested, including 44-year-old Manuel A. Avechuco.

Ambernovana Guadalupe Gradillas, 24, was arrested on suspicion of murder. Her boyfriend and suspected accomplice, Alejandro Ray Gamez, shot himself and committed suicide before he was arrested.

According to a Tucson police news release, Gradillas knew Avechuco and arranged to meet Gamez for his robbery near Mission Manor Park on the city’s south side.

Tucson police responded to a report of a shooting on Sept. 13 around 10:30 p.m. They found Avechuco in the roadway on West Calle Evelina near South Calle Pinta.

Avechuco died at the scene.

During the investigation, Gradillas was identified as a person of interest. As details emerged, detectives ultimately charged Gradillas with murder.

Additional information revealed that Gamez, Gradillas and an associate committed a series of robberies on September 10, including an armed robbery of the Mezo Smoke Shop on East Speedway.

Then, after the robbery, Gamez shot and killed his accomplice in a park on the city’s south side, a news release said.

Police found Gamez at an apartment complex on September 14. Gamez shot at officers, damaging a police car, and then committed suicide.

In addition to murder, Ambernovana is charged with multiple counts of armed robbery and robbery with violence.