Nearly nine years after his arrest, the criminal case against Aaron Saucedo, the man accused in Phoenix’s Serial Street Shooter investigation, has yet to reach trial.
Saucedo was arrested in 2017 and charged with nine counts of murder along with several other felony offenses tied to a series of shootings that occurred across Phoenix between 2015 and 2016. If convicted on all counts, he could face multiple death sentences.
While the case has drawn significant public attention over the years, legal proceedings have been repeatedly delayed, and the trial is now scheduled to begin in December 2026.
Trial Delays
Saucedo’s case has experienced several postponements since his initial trial date.
Court proceedings were originally set for November 2019, but were delayed. Additional postponements followed during the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting later trial dates in May 2021 and February 2024.
The current trial is expected to begin in December and could last approximately 16 months because of the number of charges, witnesses, and evidence involved.
Mental Health Questions
According to court records, one of the primary issues contributing to delays has involved Saucedo’s mental competency.
His attorneys have raised questions about whether he is competent to stand trial and whether he is intellectually disabled, an issue that could affect whether the death penalty is legally available if he were convicted.
Court records show Saucedo has undergone multiple competency evaluations under Arizona’s Rule 11 process. Most recently, he was found competent to stand trial in March 2026.
Defense filings also reference the U.S. Supreme Court’s Atkins v. Virginia decision, which prohibits the execution of individuals who are determined to have an intellectual disability.
Many of the related medical evaluations remain sealed by the court.
The Charges
Prosecutors allege Saucedo carried out a series of shootings across Phoenix between August 2015 and July 2016.
Investigators say the incidents included 12 separate shootings that left nine people dead and several others injured. The shootings occurred in different parts of the city, including neighborhoods stretching from east Phoenix to Maryvale.
Saucedo was arrested in April 2017 after investigators connected him to the shootings through ballistic evidence and information related to firearms that had been bought and sold at pawn shops.
He faces 22 criminal charges, including murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, endangerment, and weapons offenses.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office filed notice in December 2017 that it intended to seek the death penalty.
Saucedo has pleaded not guilty, and the allegations against him have not been proven in court.
Limited Public Information
Although the case remains one of Arizona’s highest-profile criminal prosecutions, relatively little information has been released publicly in recent years.
Both prosecutors and defense attorneys have declined to comment on the pending case, citing ongoing legal proceedings. Many court filings related to Saucedo’s mental health evaluations have also been sealed.
A settlement conference is scheduled for July, although such hearings are routinely required in capital cases and do not necessarily indicate that a plea agreement is being negotiated.
What Happens Next
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has confirmed that the case remains a capital prosecution and that the December trial date remains in place.
Before trial begins, the court is expected to continue addressing outstanding legal issues, including matters related to competency and other pretrial motions.
After nearly a decade of court proceedings, the upcoming trial is expected to be one of Arizona’s longest and most closely watched criminal cases.
FAQs
Who is Aaron Saucedo?
He is charged in the Serial Street Shooter case in Phoenix.
Why has the trial been delayed?
Multiple delays include competency reviews and pandemic impacts.
When is the trial scheduled?
The trial is currently scheduled to begin in December 2026.
Is the case still seeking the death penalty?
Yes. Prosecutors continue to pursue capital charges.
How many murders is Saucedo charged with?
He faces nine murder charges and other felony counts.
