Relatives said Rylee Montgomery had feared the suspect before she was killed.
BUCKEYE, Ariz. — A fatal shooting that killed pregnant 16-year-old Rylee Montgomery and her unborn child is now a felony case against 18-year-old Michael Sanchez, who police say was arrested hours after gunfire outside a Buckeye home.
Buckeye police said officers responded around 8:15 p.m. May 14 to reports of shots fired near Elwood Street and 257th Lane. They found Montgomery and two other female victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Montgomery died at the scene, while a 17-year-old pregnant girl and a 22-year-old woman were rushed to a hospital in critical condition.
Police said early information showed the victims had been shot outside a home. Two males were seen running from the area before officers arrived. Investigators later identified Sanchez as the suspected shooter and said he had been in a romantic relationship with Montgomery.
Within a few hours, officers tracked Sanchez to a home in Avondale. Buckeye police said U.S. Marshals and Avondale police assisted in the arrest. Sanchez was booked into jail on multiple felony charges. Authorities have not released a complete charging document in the public statement.
Montgomery’s family said the violence followed months of fear. Her stepmother, Amy Montgomery, said Sanchez had threatened Rylee after learning she was pregnant and had become angry when she would not end the pregnancy. She said the family previously reported threats and had tried to keep Rylee away from him.
The surviving victims were identified by family members as Abby, 17, and Mya, 22. Abby delivered a baby boy at 25 weeks while hospitalized, relatives said. Police have not released updated medical details beyond saying both women were in critical condition after the shooting.
The case remains active. Investigators are working through witness statements, the scene near Elwood Street and evidence tied to Sanchez’s arrest in Avondale. Police have not said whether they are seeking additional suspects. Sanchez’s next court milestones will determine how prosecutors present the charges.
Author note: Last updated May 17, 2026.