An argument in an Arizona smoke shop, ended with a suspect running over another man, police say

A Tucson man is accused of intentionally running another man over following an argument last week. 

According to the Tucson Police Department, investigators said bystanders flagged down patrol officers, hoping to help an injured pedestrian, identified as Armando Rene Padilla, 37, on April 30. Padilla sustained life-threatening injuries after a man reportedly ran him over with an SUV near the 4000 block of S. 12th Avenue.

Padilla died from his injuries and was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Banner University Medical Center, according to police. 

Homicide detectives determined Padilla and two family members were at a smoke shop in the 3900 block of S. 12th Avenue around 3:30 p.m.

While inside the shop, Padilla reportedly got into an argument with Fernando Rene Borquez, 28. During the confrontation, Borquez reportedly got into a Chevrolet Tahoe and attempted to run down Padilla and his family members.

Borquez briefly drove out of the parking lot to S. 12th Avenue., then crashed into a northbound vehicle. Officials said the driver of this vehicle sustained minor injuries. Meanwhile, Padilla and his two family members ran from the Tahoe southwest across S. 12th Avenue.

Police said Padilla ran roughly 500 feet southwest into the parking lot of 4010 S. 12th Ave. with  Borquez’s Tahoe in pursuit. 

Authorities said Borquez deliberately ran Padilla down in the parking lot before fleeing the scene. A community member spotted Borquez’s Tahoe and notified police, who located the driver of the Tahoe at a house in the 400 block of W. District St. 

The incident was reportedly captured on security cameras along 12th Avenue.

Borquez was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated assault and leaving the scene/fatal collision. He is being held in the Pima County Jail.