A grand jury indictment names two defendants after a May 14 attack outside a Buckeye home.

BUCKEYE, Ariz. — An 18-year-old man has been indicted on murder and assault charges after prosecutors said he shot his pregnant teenage ex-girlfriend, two other women and two babies in a May 14 attack outside a Buckeye home.

Michael Sanchez is accused in the death of 16-year-old Rylee Montgomery, who police said was pregnant when officers found her shot on Elwood Street near 257th Lane. The case has moved from an overnight homicide investigation to a Maricopa County grand jury indictment that includes three counts of first-degree murder. Prosecutors also charged a second man, 19-year-old Antonio Tequida, who they say helped Sanchez flee after the shooting.

The attack was reported about 8:15 p.m. on May 14, when Buckeye officers were sent to a residential area in the West Valley city after reports of gunfire. Police said they found three female victims with gunshot wounds outside a home. Montgomery died at the scene. A 17-year-old pregnant girl and a 22-year-old woman were taken to a hospital in critical condition. Police said two males were seen running from the area before officers arrived, and investigators later said the victims and Sanchez knew each other.

In the hours after the shooting, detectives identified Sanchez as the suspected shooter and tracked him to a home in Avondale, about 15 miles from the scene. Buckeye police said officers arrested him there with help from the U.S. Marshals Service and Avondale police. The first public police notice did not identify the second male seen leaving the area, but detectives later said Tequida drove Sanchez to the home on Elwood Street, then drove him away to another person’s house to hide.

The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said a grand jury indicted Sanchez on eight felony counts. The charges include one count of first-degree murder listed as a dangerous domestic violence felony, one count of first-degree murder listed as a dangerous domestic violence felony and dangerous crime against children, and another count of first-degree murder listed as a dangerous felony. He also faces two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault and one count of interference with monitoring devices.

Tequida was indicted on one count of hindering prosecution in the first degree, a Class 3 felony. Prosecutors said he is accused of driving Sanchez away from the crime scene and helping him hide after the shooting. Sanchez is being held without bond. Tequida was held on a $100,000 cash bond. Both cases remain active in Maricopa County Superior Court, and prosecutors have noted that criminal charges are accusations unless proved in court.

Police and family members have described the shooting as the end of a violent relationship that had already drawn concern. Montgomery’s family said Sanchez had become controlling after she became pregnant and that the relationship worsened after she tried to leave him. Amy Montgomery, Rylee’s stepmother, said Sanchez sent a threatening message hours before the shooting. She said the message included a photo of Sanchez with a gun and words saying he would get Rylee and then take care of himself.

Family members said they reported threats before the shooting. Buckeye police later said officers had learned of a separate alleged incident in Avondale in which Sanchez was accused of threatening Montgomery with a gun. Police said Buckeye officers notified Avondale police, which investigated. In public statements after the indictment, police said investigators had not established probable cause for an arrest in that earlier report. The exact evidence reviewed in that prior investigation has not been fully made public.

The shooting left two families grieving children who had not yet been born. Prosecutors said the indictment covers Montgomery, her unborn child and another baby connected to the second pregnant victim. The 17-year-old victim, identified in local reports as Abby Krebs, survived the shooting but delivered a baby boy at 25 weeks. The child later died. The 22-year-old victim, identified in local reports as Myah Hembree, remained hospitalized after the shooting, and her family said she faced a long recovery.

Montgomery’s relatives described her as a teenager who was looking ahead to motherhood, a driver’s license and work. They said she had been excited for a gender reveal and had expected a baby girl. Amy Montgomery said the family tried to help Rylee as the relationship became frightening. “She was so scared of him, and we tried to get her help,” she said. The family has also said it wants answers about what was known before the fatal shooting.

Investigators have not publicly released all evidence in the case, including whether any firearm has been recovered, what surveillance or phone records were obtained, or whether additional people may face charges. The indictment places the case on a trial track, with defense lawyers able to challenge the evidence and prosecutors required to prove each charge beyond a reasonable doubt. Court hearings are expected to determine discovery deadlines, motions and future trial dates.

Currently, the case stands as a Maricopa County prosecution with Sanchez held without bond and Tequida held on a cash bond. The next milestones are court filings and hearings in Superior Court as prosecutors, police and defense attorneys prepare the case.

Author note: Last updated June 16, 2026.