Death in San Manuel leads deputies to arrest
Web Producer: Janice Yu
PINAL COUNTY, Ariz. (KGUN9-TV) - Stephen Paul Dionne, was arrested on Nov 1 for a death that occurred in San Manuel on Oct 27, according to Pinal County Sheriffs Office.
PCSO received a call at approximately 9 p.m. on Oct 27 reporting that an unknown male was banging on their front door and yelling for the homeowner to call 911.
Upon arrival, deputies found Nicholas Angelo Lagunas, 30, laying unconscious on the ground outside of the residence. Lagunas was bleeding from a gunshot wound to the chest. He was pronounced dead on scene.
PCSO homicide detectives found that Lagunas was shot by Dionne, 29, following a verbal altercation. The altercation occurred at Dionne's residence in the 200 block of 5th street, San Miguel. Lagunas was shot in the chest at the residence. He then ran down the street and banged on the door of another residence to ask for help.
Dionne fled the scene and went into hiding after the shooting. The PCSO homicide detectives and U.S. Marshal's Office located Dionne at a residence in Tucson near Grant Road and Country Club Road.
Dionne was booked into the Pima County Jail for an outstanding felony violation warrant. Paperwork will be filled for him to be charged with first degree murder.
Dionne has a history of violent crimes as well as other offenses in Pinal County.
Previous charges include aggravated assault, criminal damage, domestic violence, unlawful flight from law enforcement, misconduct involving a weapon, reckless driving, driving on a suspended license, and possession of a prohibited weapon.
He only received probation for the offenses.
"This case is another example of a tragedy which could have been avoided had County Attorney James Walsh held violent offenders accountable for their crimes," said Sheriff Babeu. "Had Dionne been put in prison for the past crimes he committed as required and not given probation, Nicholas Lagunas would be alive today. Walsh and his office have failed to properly prosecute, sixty-one percent of defendants charged with mandatory prison charges, making them the most dangerous people on our streets, instead he either releases them on probation or he completely dismisses the cases."
Dionne has a prior felony offense in Birmingham, Ala. and is listed as a "fugitive of justice." He is also confirmed as a south side gang member in Maricopa County.
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