[Sahuarita, AZ – Sept. 8, 2023] – On Sept. 7 at approximately 19:13 hours, officers of the Sahuarita Police Department (SPD) and firefighters of the Green Valley Fire District (GVFD) were dispatched to Walmart located at 18680 S. Nogales Hwy. in response to a reported fire inside the store.
The store was open and occupied by employees and shoppers. Upon arrival, the building was filled with smoke. Fire crews, officers, and store employees worked to evacuate the store. GVFD located the fire's starting point in a paper products aisle and brought the fire under control in about 20 minutes.
GVFD responded with two engines, a ladder truck, and several medic units. A total of 24 GVFD personnel were on the scene for approximately 2.5 hours assisting with the operation. Two persons were evaluated for smoke inhalation. No other injuries have been reported.
SPD responded with several officers. Initial information revealed the fire may have been purposely set and SPD detectives were dispatched to assist in the investigation. Officers and detectives contacted multiple involved parties and reviewed the evidence. Their investigation led to the arrest of suspect Jeffery Lee Mayfield, age 29, of Amado, Arizona for the below charges.
ARS 13-1704 – Arson of an occupied structure, a class 2 felony
ARS 13-1201 – Endangerment, a class 6 felony
Mayfield was booked at the Pima County Jail with a request for $500,000 bail.
Damage and product loss at the Sahuarita Walmart is not known at this time. Town officials are in communication with store and regional leadership to discuss employee support, damages, and business operations.