Phoenix Police Arrest Suspect Following Paintball Attack on North Phoenix Mosque

Michael Dominguez faces aggravated assault and weapons charges after allegedly firing paintballs and pellets at a Phoenix mosque and its members.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 10, 2026, 12:50 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Arizona’s Family (KTVK/KPHO).

Early Morning Attack at Community Center

Worshippers at the Islamic Center of North Phoenix were targeted in a series of shots early Saturday morning. According to Phoenix Police, the incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. near 19th Avenue and Thunderbird Road just as a sports night event was concluding. Witnesses reported seeing a man exit a vehicle near the mosque gate before hearing distinct "popping" sounds. The suspect reportedly continued to fire into the group from his car, striking parked vehicles and forcing individuals to dive for cover before he fled the scene.

Surveillance and Vehicle Registration Lead to Arrest

Detectives from Phoenix’s street crimes unit utilized surveillance footage to identify the vehicle used in the attack. The car was found to be registered to 30-year-old Michael Dominguez. Following a short investigation, authorities located Dominguez on Monday and took him into custody. During a subsequent search, police seized several pellet-style firearms similar to the one described by witnesses at the scene.

Damage and Community Impact

Members of the mosque reported significant property damage resulting from the encounter. Adnan Ahmetovic, a member of the center, noted that several cars were dented and splashed with paint, while at least one vehicle suffered a shattered window. While no physical injuries were reported among the community members who took cover, the psychological impact has been significant. Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego condemned the actions on Tuesday, emphasizing that "hate has no place" in the city.