AMARILLO POLICE DEPARTMENT
MEDIA/PUBLIC RELEASE
DATE: March 24, 2026
TIME:
CASE NUMBER: 26-504405
INCIDENT TYPE: 300 S. Mississippi
OFFICER SUBMITTING RELEASE: Thomas Hover-Chief of Police; Sgt. Carla Burr-PIO
DETAILS: Over the past several days, Amarillo Police Department Task Force Officers (TFO), Violent Crimes Unit Detectives (VCU), Proactive Criminal Enforcement (PACE), and the Amarillo Regional Crime Center (ARCC) have been actively investigating the shooting that occurred in the 300 block of S. Mississippi.
Through the investigation, a suspect was identified. Investigators determined the suspect, Azaiah Zuniga-Valle (20), allegedly contacted an acquaintance and then forced the individual at gunpoint to drive him to a Walmart in Hereford to obtain a new cell phone.
Officers located Zuniga-Valle at the Walmart, where he was arrested on an on-view charge of Aggravated Assault, as well as two outstanding warrants for Aggravated Assault. He was booked into the Deaf Smith County Jail.
A Glock pistol was recovered from under the driver’s seat of the vehicle.
Additional information developed during the investigation may result in further federal charges. This investigation is ongoing.
