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A 21-year-old Arizona man arrested after allegedly shooting another man inside a Mesa Target store over the weekend, leaving the victim with life-threatening injuries that required multiple surgeries.
Mesa authorities arrested Dylan Stinson this week in connection with Sunday's shooting. Stinson is facing several counts of aggravated assault and one count of discharging a firearm within city limits. A judge set his bond at $500,000 following a Tuesday court appearance.
According to court documents, the conflict may have started earlier that same day, when Stinson, the victim, a second man, and two women were all traveling together in a blue Toyota Camry. The group made a stop at a smoke shop located in the same shopping complex as the Target. While Stinson and the second man went inside, the victim and the two women waited with the car. When the two men returned, the three were gone — and a rifle had been taken from the trunk.
Stinson and the second man then entered the nearby Target, where they tracked down the victim near the store's restroom area. According to the second man, who was detained by officers shortly after the shooting, the victim pulled out a gun during the confrontation. He told police that he and Stinson grabbed the man and forced him to the ground. While the victim was pinned and unable to move, Stinson took control of the weapon and shot him.
The victim was struck in the torso and rushed to the hospital in critical condition. He was initially unable to speak with investigators as he underwent multiple operations.
Store surveillance footage captured Stinson and the second man running back toward the restroom area around the time shots were fired. After the shooting, Stinson was recorded leaving the store holding what appeared to be a black AR-15-style rifle, though investigators later determined it was a handgun. Both men fled in the blue Toyota Camry. Officers located and detained the second man not far from the scene a short time later.
A separate witness familiar with the group told police the shooting victim had a prior conflict with Stinson, further supporting the theory that the attack was not random. Investigators obtained a search warrant for Stinson's Mesa address, where they found a rifle inside a vehicle that matched the one described in the incident. Stinson was booked into jail and appeared before a judge on Tuesday. The identity of the victim has not been publicly released. The second man detained near the scene has not been publicly charged as of this report.
The factual information above was sourced from wafb.com as of May 29, 2026.
The attorney commentary below is not specifically about the case reported above. Attorney commentary provided is information about these types of cases in the justice system.
When a shooting happens inside a retail store, the chaos that follows can leave victims and their families overwhelmed and uncertain about where to turn. The criminal case against a shooter moves on its own track, driven by prosecutors — but that process does little to address the mounting medical bills, lost income, and lasting physical and emotional damage a victim is left to manage. Arizona crime victim attorney Michael Haggard has spent years representing people injured through the negligence of others, including those hurt on commercial properties where violence should have been prevented. We sat down with him to discuss what legal options are actually available to shooting victims and why acting fast can make all the difference.
Attorney Darla Medina: When someone is shot inside a retail store like Target, most people assume their only path is through the criminal courts. Is that accurate?
Attorney Michael Haggard: Not at all. The criminal case deals with punishing the shooter. That is entirely separate from a victim's right to pursue civil damages. A shooting victim — or their family — can bring a civil lawsuit against multiple parties, and that includes the property owner or the retailer operating on that property.
Medina: On what grounds could a retailer like Target be held liable for a shooting that was carried out by another customer?
Haggard: The legal theory most commonly applied is premises liability. Large retailers have a legal duty to maintain a reasonably safe environment for the people who walk through their doors. If a store knew or should have known that there was a risk of violent crime on the premises — based on prior incidents in the area, for example — and failed to take reasonable steps to address that risk, they can be held accountable. That could mean inadequate security staffing, poor surveillance coverage, a lack of trained personnel, or simply ignoring warning signs.
Medina: What kind of compensation can a victim typically recover in a civil case like this?
Haggard: It can be substantial. Medical expenses, both current and future, are a major component. Lost income, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and, in cases involving permanent disability, long-term care costs. In Arizona, if a victim dies from their injuries, the family may also have a wrongful death claim. These cases can result in significant verdicts or settlements depending on the facts.
Medina: How quickly should a victim or their family act after something like this happens?
Haggard: As soon as possible. Evidence disappears fast — surveillance footage gets overwritten, witnesses become harder to locate, and security logs can be altered or lost. Arizona's statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years, but waiting anywhere near that long can seriously damage a case. An attorney needs to move quickly to preserve evidence and put the responsible parties on notice.
Medina: Any final thoughts for someone who has been injured in a shooting at a retail store and doesn't know where to turn?
Haggard: Understand that you have rights beyond what happens in a courtroom to the shooter. You may have a civil claim that can provide real financial relief during what is often a devastating recovery. Consult with an attorney who handles crime victim cases. Most work on contingency, meaning there is no cost to the victim unless compensation is recovered. No one should have to face those medical bills and that trauma alone.
If you or someone you love has been shot or injured inside a retail store, the path forward can feel impossible to navigate. Medical bills pile up, income disappears, and the emotional toll can be crushing — all while the legal clock is quietly ticking. You may have more options than you realize, and the only way to know for certain is to talk to someone who can evaluate your situation. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our team is ready to listen, answer your questions, and help you understand what you may be entitled to recover. There are no upfront costs and no fees unless we win your case. You have been through enough — let us handle the fight from here.
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