D. Ray
2024-10-15 15:11:28 UTC
Mesa, Arizona – A White mother of three was found dead from multiple
gunshots at a bus stop. For the crime, police arrested a 44-year-old
“unhoused” Hispanic man who they say had been panhandling at the time.
At approximately 7:30 AM on October 8, police responded to a call
concerning a man armed with an AK-47 and a woman soaked in blood in the
1900 block of North Center Street.
Upon arrival, authorities discovered 55-year-old Michelle Flippin
unconscious on the ground. Flippin—who is White—would be declared dead at
the scene from gunshot wounds shortly after.
The suspect, Andrew Carlos Rada, was reportedly pulled over by law
enforcement and arrested for the shooting roughly a half mile away.
According to 13 News out of Tucson, Arizona, Rada had told police that he
was in the midst of panhandling at a nearby gas station when he observed
Flippin “menacing a crowd with a pistol.” In response, Rada then readied
and fired his AK-47 assault rifle, claiming to have shot Flippin “12-15
times until she went down.”
Despite these claims, investigators did not discover a firearm in Flippin’s
possession.
What police did discover was 38 shell casings at the scene, much higher
than Rada’s claim of “12-15” shots fired. Surveillance video would show
that Flippin had been shot while alone and while facing away from her
alleged killer.
Rada has since been charged with first-degree murder and remains in police
custody. A bail amount has not been specified. Despite Rada being a visibly
non-White Hispanic, Police have booked him as a “White male.”
A GoFundMe has been set up to assist Flippin’s family during these times.
At the time of press, it has raised only $11,143 of its intended $10,000
goal.
“(Michelle) was the victim of an awful man’s hateful crime. I wanted to set
up this go fund me for her kids Tara, Ashleigh and Scotty who will have to
put her to rest,” read the fundraiser. “No child should have to bury their
mother but due to a man’s senseless act, they are put in a difficult
situation.”
Prior to her killing at the hands of an alleged Hispanic panhandler,
Flippin was said to have battled with self-esteem issues. According to
those who knew her, she will be remembered as an “amazing woman” and humble
“caregiver.” who would give you “the shirt off her back.”
Mesa is considered a large city within Central Arizona, with a projected
population of over 511,000. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that
approximately 60.3% of residents identify as White, while Hispanics make up
about 27.3% and Black residents account for 4.6%. However, the complexity
of racial identity is highlighted by the fact that 11.8% of the population
identifies as mixed-race, implying an overlap.
<https://justicereport.news/2024/10/14/white-mother-of-three-shot-in-the-back-and-killed-at-a-bus-stop/>
<https://archive.ph/KGedb>
gunshots at a bus stop. For the crime, police arrested a 44-year-old
“unhoused” Hispanic man who they say had been panhandling at the time.
At approximately 7:30 AM on October 8, police responded to a call
concerning a man armed with an AK-47 and a woman soaked in blood in the
1900 block of North Center Street.
Upon arrival, authorities discovered 55-year-old Michelle Flippin
unconscious on the ground. Flippin—who is White—would be declared dead at
the scene from gunshot wounds shortly after.
The suspect, Andrew Carlos Rada, was reportedly pulled over by law
enforcement and arrested for the shooting roughly a half mile away.
According to 13 News out of Tucson, Arizona, Rada had told police that he
was in the midst of panhandling at a nearby gas station when he observed
Flippin “menacing a crowd with a pistol.” In response, Rada then readied
and fired his AK-47 assault rifle, claiming to have shot Flippin “12-15
times until she went down.”
Despite these claims, investigators did not discover a firearm in Flippin’s
possession.
What police did discover was 38 shell casings at the scene, much higher
than Rada’s claim of “12-15” shots fired. Surveillance video would show
that Flippin had been shot while alone and while facing away from her
alleged killer.
Rada has since been charged with first-degree murder and remains in police
custody. A bail amount has not been specified. Despite Rada being a visibly
non-White Hispanic, Police have booked him as a “White male.”
A GoFundMe has been set up to assist Flippin’s family during these times.
At the time of press, it has raised only $11,143 of its intended $10,000
goal.
“(Michelle) was the victim of an awful man’s hateful crime. I wanted to set
up this go fund me for her kids Tara, Ashleigh and Scotty who will have to
put her to rest,” read the fundraiser. “No child should have to bury their
mother but due to a man’s senseless act, they are put in a difficult
situation.”
Prior to her killing at the hands of an alleged Hispanic panhandler,
Flippin was said to have battled with self-esteem issues. According to
those who knew her, she will be remembered as an “amazing woman” and humble
“caregiver.” who would give you “the shirt off her back.”
Mesa is considered a large city within Central Arizona, with a projected
population of over 511,000. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that
approximately 60.3% of residents identify as White, while Hispanics make up
about 27.3% and Black residents account for 4.6%. However, the complexity
of racial identity is highlighted by the fact that 11.8% of the population
identifies as mixed-race, implying an overlap.
<https://justicereport.news/2024/10/14/white-mother-of-three-shot-in-the-back-and-killed-at-a-bus-stop/>
<https://archive.ph/KGedb>