2 convicted in shooting, kidnapping near Arizona Mills mall

Two men have been convicted in the kidnapping and shooting of a man last December near Arizona Mills mall.

A jury on Tuesday found Francisco Norzagaray, 26, and Jesus Aguilar, 22, guilty of attempted first-degree murder and kidnapping, according to the Maricopa County Attorney's office. Norzagaray was also found guilty of forgery, authorities said.

The victim knew the two defendants, having bought marijuana from them before, Tempe police said. He was under the impression that he and the men had worked out his $400 debt and on Dec. 15, he invited Norzagaray to go to a party with him, police said.

Norzagaray asked the victim to meet with him in the parking lot of Arizona Mills. When the victim got into the car, Norzagaray, Aguilar and an unidentified driver demanded $900, police said.

The victim refused to pay, and the three men drove off with the victim still inside. The victim tried to unlock and jump out of the car, and one of the robbers held him by the shirt and shot him in the back before he could jump out of the moving vehicle, according to Tempe police.

The defendants will be sentenced on Jan. 8. The defendants could face prison terms of seven to 21 years.

They are both in the country illegally and may face deportation once they finish their prison sentences.

Norzagaray has had two earlier convictions and has been deported previously. Aguilar has had one earlier conviction, a county attorney's spokesman said.