A Baiting Hollow man who worked as a custodian at Riley Avenue Elementary School was the victim of a shooting in Avondale, Arizona Monday.
Frank Anthony Vitale died of a gunshot wound as he sat in a vehicle in the parking lot of a restaurant in Avondale at about 12:13 p.m. Monday, according to the Avondale Police Department.
Avondale Police responded to a report of shots fired in the parking lot of the Number One Buffet restaurant on North 101st Avenue and West McDowell Road in Avondale, according to a statement issued to RiverheadLOCAL by the Avondale Police Department Tuesday. Officers located an adult male with an apparent gunshot wound inside a vehicle, police said. The victim was pronounced deceased on scene and detectives from the Avondale Police Criminal Investigations Bureau responded to investigate, according to the police statement.
The victim was later identified and his next of kin notified, police said.
Police located and arrested a suspect in the shooting, identified by the police statement as Roberto Antonio Trejo, who has been charged with Murder—Second Degree. He is in the custody of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, police said.
Details on what led to the shooting are under investigation and no further information is currently available, according to Avondale Police.
In addition to the murder charge, Trejo is facing felony charges of escape and possession of a weapon by a prohibited person.
According to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Trejo is being held in lieu of a $1 million bond. He is next due in court on Oct. 22.
Riverhead Central School District officials on Tuesday evening said they were shocked by news of Vitale’s death, which they heard just before the start of the school board meeting. He worked as a custodian in the district for 20 years, Interim Superintendent Cheryl Pedisich said, and was getting ready to retire. “His family is in our thoughts and prayers,” Pedisich said.
Riley Avenue Elementary School Principal David Enos said faculty and staff at the school are “reeling at the loss of Mr. Vitale.”
“Frank had a larger than life personality and he impacted the lives of many here. He was always willing to be supportive and help, including the coordination of a school-wide breakfast, which brought people together,” Enos said.
Vitale had a quick wit and “he always made me smile,” Enos said.
“He was looking forward to a well-earned retirement,” he said. “Our Riley family will remember him fondly.”
Alek Lewis contributed reporting.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect the comments of Riley Avenue Elementary School Principal David Enos.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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