By admin 
SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Residents say they are unnerved after gunshots were fired early Sunday morning during a party at a short-term rental home.
Police said they responded after multiple 911 calls reported gunshots near Roosevelt and 74th streets in south Scottsdale. Police said shots were fired in the home’s front yard, backyard and the street. Police found shell casings in the street. Nearby homes were struck by gunfire.
On Monday morning, there were few signs of the weekend chaos. Construction workers were busy remodeling two homes near the single-story, ranch-style home that neighbors pointed out as the short-term rental.
“That one’s the worst,” Baca said, pointing toward the house. “There’s always loud music, there’s cars.”
While neighbors had raised concerns about the short-term rental before, they say this is the first time shots have been fired in the neighborhood.
Raoul Zubia, who has lived in the neighborhood since the 1960s, said incidents like this are unprecedented.
“This is very rare. In the time that we’ve lived here, this is the first incident like this. Ever,” Zubia said.
Zubia is running for one of two seats on the Scottsdale City Council this fall, along with candidates Barry Graham and Michelle Ugenti-Rita. He said cities need more control over short-term rentals.
“We need to be able to find the bad people, the bad players, and either eliminate them or fine them to the point they just don’t want to do business in Scottsdale anymore,” Zubia said.
Neighbors say they are fed up and want the home’s short-term license pulled.
One neighbor, who did not want to go on camera, showed ABC15 where bullets damaged his home, including one that went into the wall above his front window — just yards from where his 6-month-old child was sleeping.
Scottsdale police said they are working to identify the suspects responsible for the shooting. Police said they have cracked down in the last year on loud parties and illegal activity at short-term rentals.
Baca said he would like to see higher fines and more regulation.
“The city council of Scottsdale needs to do something,” Baca said.
ABC15 reached out to representatives listed as contacts for the home on the city’s website but has not heard back.
ABC15 also reached out to city council candidates Graham and Ugenti-Rita for comment. Ugenti-Rita didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Graham, who is currently on the Scottsdale City Council, said in a statement: “I have continuously worked to crack down on short-term rental bad actors. We have further to go and unfortunately their lobbyists are donating to a candidate in this race.”
Scottsdale Police Department released a lengthy statement about the incident, saying:
“The City of Scottsdale continues its aggressive, coordinated approach to addressing short-term rental (STR) violations, neighborhood disturbances, and public safety concerns through a dedicated, multidisciplinary team involving numerous city departments.
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Over the weekend, Scottsdale Police responded to a shooting associated with a short-term rental property. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The incident remains under active investigation, and detectives are pursuing multiple investigative leads. The city is also reviewing potential violations associated with the rental property. Additional information will be released as the investigation allows.
Incidents involving violence at short term rentals are extremely concerning. They reinforce the importance of Scottsdale’s ongoing efforts to hold property owners, operators, and individuals accountable for violations of the law.
A Coordinated Citywide Approach
Scottsdale’s Short-Term Rental Team brings together representatives from the Police Department, City Attorney’s Office, City Manager’s Office, Code Enforcement, Planning, Solid Waste, Tax and Licensing, and Water.
The team works collaboratively to identify problem properties, investigate complaints, enforce city ordinances, monitor licensing compliance, educate property owners and renters, and coordinate enforcement actions. The team also works with state legislators and other municipalities to strengthen local authority to address short-term rental concerns.
The Scottsdale Police Department has further strengthened these efforts through its newly established Neighborhood Response Unit (NRU). This specialized, citywide unit expands the department’s enforcement capabilities by providing additional personnel and resources dedicated to addressing neighborhood concerns, including short-term rental violations, nuisance properties, and recurring quality-of-life issues. By increasing enforcement capacity and allowing for more proactive, targeted responses, the NRU enhances the department’s ability to identify problem properties, address repeat violations, and hold those responsible accountable. The unit also works closely with other city departments to support coordinated enforcement efforts and protect the quality of life in Scottsdale neighborhoods.
The city’s comprehensive strategy focuses on four areas:
Targeted enforcement: Identifying and addressing nuisance properties, criminal activity, and ordinance violations.
Public education: Helping residents understand how to report problems while educating owners and renters about their responsibilities.
Owner and stakeholder engagement: Working directly with property owners, rental platforms, and community stakeholders to improve compliance.
Technology and accountability: Using available technology and data to identify violations, monitor compliance, and improve enforcement efforts.
Enforcement Efforts Deliver Results
Scottsdale’s August 2026 Short-Term Rental Report demonstrates the significant level of enforcement and oversight already underway.
Key findings from January through August 2026 include:
- 665 police calls for service at short-term rental properties, including 238 between June and August.
- 460 charges filed at short-term rental locations, including 359 related to noncompliance.
- A 46% increase in noncompliance charges, from 120 during March through May to 175 during June through August.
- A 23% decrease in calls for service at short-term rentals from July to August, dropping from 91 to 70.
- $9,000 in penalty fines collected during August alone.
As of August, Scottsdale had 2,966 active short-term rental licenses. The city continues monitoring licensing, renewals, complaints, and enforcement trends to identify properties requiring additional attention.
Strengthening Accountability
In addition to enforcement, Scottsdale continues working with short-term rental platforms, including Airbnb, to improve communication and accountability.
The city is also supporting legislative changes that would provide municipalities with greater authority to regulate short-term rentals, improve licensing requirements, and address properties that repeatedly violate local ordinances.
The Scottsdale Police Department remains focused on its investigation into the recent shooting and is committed to ensuring those responsible are brought to justice.
“We have a proven track record of identifying and arresting those who come into Scottsdale and commit violent crimes. We intend to make this case no different. When you bring violence into our community, we will commit the resources necessary to find you, arrest you, and hold you accountable,” said Scottsdale Police Chief Joe LeDuc.
Residents are encouraged to report concerns involving short-term rentals by emailing [email protected] or contacting the Scottsdale Police Department’s non-emergency line at (480) 312-5000.
The City of Scottsdale will continue working across departments and with community partners to protect neighborhood safety and quality of life.”
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