PHOENIX — A tragic road rage incident in south Phoenix has left a family devastated after a father and his 8-year-old daughter were shot and killed. The shooting occurred Saturday afternoon near 19th Avenue and Baseline Road, prompting an active investigation by local authorities.
Quincy Polk, 30, and his daughter, Envy Cardenas, lost their lives in the violence. The family is grappling with profound grief, as Polk’s mother, Joesra Martin, expressed her heartbreak. “I will never see my son or my grandbaby again. Why did you have to take her too?” she said, reflecting the family’s incomprehensible loss.
Polk’s fiancé, Alexis Cardenas, along with their 5-year-old daughter, Nay’vi, sustained injuries in the shooting. Alexis is currently in a medically induced coma and faces the prospect of facial reconstruction surgery. Family members reported that during a brief moment of consciousness, she repeatedly wrote her daughter’s name, a gesture highlighting the bond and love she holds.
Nay’vi has survived with a bullet lodged in her leg, but she has been released from the hospital. The family’s youngest member, 1-year-old Alani Polk, was unharmed in the incident, bringing a sliver of relief amidst the turmoil.
According to police reports, the violent altercation began as Polk and another driver engaged in a confrontation while exiting a Lowe’s parking lot. Although they initially separated, the driver returned, armed with a gun, and fired several rounds into the family’s vehicle.
The alleged shooter, identified as 28-year-old Tyrone Dee Chilly, remained at the scene and was hospitalized for unrelated reasons before being released into police custody. He now faces two counts of murder and several additional charges including aggravated assault and endangerment.
As the investigation unfolds, the community is left to ponder the dangers of road rage and the tragic consequences it can bring. Friends and relatives of the victims are calling for heightened awareness and dialogue about conflict resolution, hoping such a tragedy never occurs again.
This incident has ignited discussions about safety on the roads and the impact of aggressive driving behaviors. The family’s loss has resonated deeply, prompting a wave of sympathies as they attempt to find healing through their grief.