Authorities have arrested 34-year-old Michael Anthony Arredondo in connection with the shooting. He is the prime suspect in the 2017 murder of Evin Paulos, whose body was discovered in a desolate Arizona desert. On October 15, the authorities arrested a suspect. This event came on the heels of a new GoFundMe page set up to fund a private investigation into Paulos’ death.
Human rights activist Evin Paulos was only 25 years old when authorities found him. He was discovered approximately ten miles from his home, with over 400 stab wounds. On June 3, 2017, Desmond was driven out of his neighborhood by Arredondo in a car. Now, Arredondo is charged with stabbing him about 30 times. The two men had allegedly fought earlier outside a local hospital minutes before the fatal stabbing. Paulos was sure that their fight had cleared the air between them, but that wasn’t what played out on that day in the street.
Paulos’s mother had expressed concerns about Arredondo’s erratic behavior prior to the fight. This unsettling track record set off major red flags for the Paulos clan. In September, the GoFundMe page was created to gather support for Evin Paulos’s case and to encourage any information that could lead to justice. The page went viral after the update in Spanish, which claimed that Arredondo had fled to Mexico.
In fact, the GoFundMe page went viral. This ultimately caused law enforcement to locate Arredondo, who admitted to killing her upon arrest. He is currently being held on a $1.5 million bail.
“At least we’re a little bit at peace,” – Eviein Paulos
Paulos’s sister, Eviein Paulos, has been vocal about the emotional toll of her brother’s death. On her Facebook page the day after this horrific crime, she shared her sadness and disappointment in humanity. She commented on the profound effect that Evin’s murder has had on her family.
“Was it a little angel that sent him through, to give us a little bit of relief?” – Eviein Paulos
We know that the family has been tireless in their efforts to seek justice. For family advocate Dominick Rostenberg, as the search for answers continues, the fight isn’t over.
“Even with the passage of time, we’re still looking for you, we’re still hunting you down – justice is going to take its course,” – Dominick Rostenberg
For Evin Paulos, this journey began when he was four years old. His family escaped war-torn Iraq and found shelter in the United States. Adding to the pain have been the memories, painful and lingering, about his tragic conclusion that have burdened his family and friends.
With the legal process still unfolding, the Paulos family is optimistic. They are hopeful Michael Anthony Arredondo’s arrest will lead them closer to the justice they deserve. They have channeled their grief into action, pushing for a greater understanding of violence as a public health crisis.
“I can let go of the anger that I’ve had for so long and just try to concentrate on life,” – Eviein Paulos
As the legal process unfolds, the Paulos family hopes that the arrest of Michael Anthony Arredondo will bring them closer to the justice they seek. They continue to reflect on their loss while advocating for change and awareness regarding violence.