What Happened
On the morning of September 22, officers patrolling the concrete banks of a Phoenix canal stumbled upon the partially decomposed body of 48‑year‑old Efrin Victor Evangelista. The scene showed clear trauma, prompting detectives to label the case a homicide immediately. The victim’s location, near the intersection of 36th Street and Portland Avenue, became a hot spot for a rapid police response.
The breakthrough didn’t come until detectives revisited a tip filed three days earlier. A witness had reported hearing gunshots and seeing a “suspicious man” around 35th Street and McDowell Road on September 19. Initially, that information led nowhere because the body hadn’t been discovered yet.
When investigators re‑interviewed the witness and pulled nearby surveillance footage, a face emerged that matched a 23‑year‑old local, Bryan Flores Barrientos. Confronted with the video, Barrientos admitted to the Phoenix shooting, saying he fired at Evangelista without any provocation and then hid the weapon at a family member’s residence.
Investigation Progress
Following the confession, police secured search warrants for the relative’s home and other locations linked to the suspect. Inside, detectives recovered a handgun that matched ballistics reports from the crime scene. The weapon, along with additional evidence, was logged as probable murder equipment.
Key milestones in the case include:
- September 19 – Witness reports gunfire and suspicious activity.
- September 22 – Body found; homicide classified.
- September 23 – Barrientos arrested after confession.
- September 24 – Search warrants executed; firearm recovered.
Sergeant Phil Krynsky of the Phoenix Police Department confirmed that the investigation is still active. Officers are reviewing all digital footprints and will interview anyone who may have seen Barrientos in the days surrounding the incident.
The murder adds to a disturbing trend of violent crimes along Phoenix’s canal network, a series of incidents that have prompted community calls for increased safety measures. While the suspect now faces serious charges, authorities stress that the case is not closed until every piece of evidence is examined and a full trial proceeds.