‘Hardworking’ grandpa shot at gas station on way to work, AZ family says. Two indicted
Two 19-year-olds are charged in the death of a “loving” and “hardworking” grandfather who was fatally shot while headed to work, according to officials and family in Arizona.
Arturo Vazquez-Rodriguez and Isaac Lechuga were indicted on a charge of first-degree murder in the killing of Naul Hernandez, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said in a March 17 news release.
The men also were indicted on charges of armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, kidnapping and aggravated assault, according to prosecutors.
McClatchy News couldn’t immediately reach their attorneys March 18 for comment.
Vazquez-Rodriguez and Lechuga are accused of robbing someone at a convenience store in Phoenix in the early morning hours of Feb. 21, according to prosecutors.
“One suspect carried out the robbery while the other remained in the truck as a lookout before they fled the scene,” prosecutors said.
The two men then went to a different convenience store, where “they fatally shot” Hernandez, described by prosecutors as “an innocent bystander who was pumping gas,” per the release.
In an online fundraiser, Brianna Chavez wrote that Hernandez – her cousin – had stopped at the gas station while headed to work.
“His wife, daughter, brothers, sister, mother and all who loved him and knew him are reeling from the shock and devastation of this loss,” she said, adding that he “provided for his family” and “was loved and cared for by his family and all those who knew him.”
This story was originally published March 18, 2025 at 11:51 AM with the headline "‘Hardworking’ grandpa shot at gas station on way to work, AZ family says. Two indicted."
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