Julian Gabriel Quintana

Julian Gabriel Quintana was a beloved son, brother, and friend known for his joyful energy and adventurous spirit. Born in Tempe, Arizona, on November 15, 2010, the 15-year-old Hispanic / Latino boy was a freshman at Miami High School. His family remembers him as a kind and gentle soul who cherished spending time with his friends, making memories filled with laughter. Julian had a passion for fishing, which brought him a sense of peace and a connection to nature. He was also an avid gamer who enjoyed immersing himself in the virtual worlds of his PlayStation 5. His mother, Beatriz Quintana, said he had a passion for technology and planned to pursue it as a career. Above all, Julian appreciated the simple joys of life, like sharing meals with his loved ones.

The holiday celebrations of New Year's Day 2026 turned tragic for Julian and his family. He was attending a party at a home on McKinney Avenue in the Central Heights community near Globe, Arizona. Around 1:08 a.m., an altercation broke out at the gathering, which escalated to gunfire. The Gila County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call from one of Julian's friends reporting that he had been shot. Deputies from the Sheriff's Office and officers from the Globe Police Department arrived to find Julian unresponsive and not breathing. They immediately began performing life-saving measures until paramedics arrived.

Julian was first rushed to Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center and then airlifted to a hospital in Phoenix because of the severity of his life-threatening injuries. Despite the extensive efforts of medical personnel, Julian Gabriel Quintana succumbed to his injuries just before 2:00 p.m. that same day. His mother later shared the last text message she received from him before he died: "He said sleep good mom, goodnight, I love you. I was very lucky that night that he read my text."

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office launched a homicide investigation, with assistance from its Criminal Investigations Division, the Gila County Drug, Gang, and Violent Crime Task Force, and the K9 unit. They also received support from the Globe Police Department, San Carlos Apache Tribal Police Department, Pinal County Sheriff's Office, Miami Police Department, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Initially, investigators believed the suspect fled in a white RAM truck, but later evidence suggested the person fled on foot before being picked up by another vehicle. Authorities soon identified 19-year-old Deshawn Tarango as a person of interest.

Following a multi-month search, the investigation made a significant breakthrough. After a warrant was issued for his arrest, Deshawn Tarango was located at a residence in Mesa. On March 3, 2026, members of the U.S. Marshals Service Task Force apprehended Tarango without incident. He was transported back to Gila County to be booked into the Gila County Jail on felony charges related to the shooting death of Julian Quintana. Authorities have since referred to Tarango as the suspect in the case.

In the wake of the tragedy, Julian's family, including his parents, Beatriz and Fabian Quintana, and his siblings, Adrian, Sebastian, and Alondra, were left to mourn a profound loss. His aunt, Marisella Quintana, organized a fundraiser to help with funeral expenses, and the family expressed deep gratitude for the prayers and financial support they received from the community. A national nonprofit, The Uvalde Foundation For Kids, also activated its national reward system to seek information.

As of March 2026, the case against Deshawn Tarango is proceeding through the justice system. While an arrest has been made, the Gila County Sheriff's Office has stated that the investigation remains active and ongoing as detectives prepare their reports for prosecution. Anyone with additional information related to the case is encouraged to contact the Gila County Sheriff’s Office Detectives Division at (928) 402-1872.