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January 22.2026

2 Minutes Read

Mesa Family Demands Tougher Charges in Near-Fatal New Year’s Day Shooting

Individuals in parking lot discussing Mesa New Year’s Day shooting

A Family's Plea for Justice After a Near-Death Experience

A Mesa family is demanding a more serious prosecution for a shooting that narrowly missed their son, Kaden Horace, on New Year’s Day. The case raises questions about how the legal system assesses threats to life, as the shooter, identified as 19-year-old Erik Feliciano, currently faces aggravated assault charges rather than attempted murder. In a gripping account from that night in the Little Mesa Café parking lot, Horace’s mother, Jennifer Kurcz, expressed her fears: "I could have been at the morgue identifying his body." It’s a heartbreaking sentiment that echoes through the family’s letters and pleas to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

The Details of a Dangerous Encounter

During the incident, Feliciano, reportedly angered by a love triangle involving his current girlfriend and Horace, drove his truck into Horace's vehicle before approaching it armed. Witness reports describe how Feliciano struck Horace’s window before firing a shot that shattered glass and embedded into the car. The police later located the gun, showing that 14 rounds were loaded. This alarming statistic begs the question, why isn’t attempted murder being charged?

Understanding Legal Definitions: Aggravated Assault vs. Attempted Murder

The distinctions that separate aggravated assault from attempted murder can significantly impact the case outcome. According to legal experts, intent is crucial; prosecutors need to demonstrate that the perpetrator intended to kill. In this instance, Kurcz argues that the evidence is strong enough to support a charge for the more serious crime. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office maintains that they believe the evidence supports the aggravated assault charge instead, signaling a disparity between public perception of justice and legal definitions.

Community Impact and the Call for Change

This incident has not only affected the Horace family but has sparked broader discussions within the Mesa community regarding the nature of crime and punishment. Community members and legal commentators have expressed solid opinions that challenge the adequacy of penalties for such life-threatening actions. Many argue that we are witnessing a pattern where serious threats to life receive lesser consequences, potentially endangering others in the future.

Take Action: Advocating for Justice

The Horace family's appeal is an urgent call to both local authorities and the community at large to reconsider how cases like this are prosecuted. Whether you are a fellow resident of Mesa or an advocate for justice, it’s essential to engage in this conversation and push for legal frameworks that adequately reflect the gravity of attempted murder and violent crime.

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Mesa Family Demands Tougher Charges in Near-Fatal New Year’s Day Shooting

A Family's Plea for Justice After a Near-Death Experience

The Details of a Dangerous Encounter

Understanding Legal Definitions: Aggravated Assault vs. Attempted Murder

Community Impact and the Call for Change

Take Action: Advocating for Justice

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