Mesa Police have released the names of the two people murdered at a Dobson High School graduation party on Saturday night. The murder victims have been identified as 38 year old Sally Johnson-Huddleston and 32 year old Auston Blanks. Ms. Johnson-Huddleston was hosting the graduation party for her 17 year old daughter when the tragedy occurred.
Mr. Auston Blanks recently returned home from a one year tour of duty in Afghanistan as a US Army reservist. Local news channel ABC 15 has an interview with Mr. Blanks wife. Among those injured in the senseless violence was Blanks’ 10 year old son, Hunter.
To the family and friends of Ms. Johnson-Huddleston and Mr. Blanks, you have our deepest condolences. As you search the Arizona news sites for information to help you make sense of this tragedy, I recommend that you avoid the reader comments on the news sites as our news stations have not been moderating them. If you have inadvertently read some of the offensive comments and you would like to do something about it, please don’t hesitate to report the post, send the media outlet an email or call the local stations to complain.
UPDATE – May 28th
Assistance fund for Sally Johnson-Huddleston’s daughter: To contribute to the Vanessa Fenstermacher Assistance Fund, make donations at any Bank of America branch throughout the Phoenix Metro area. For additional information, call (480) 730-3444.
Carwash: A benefit carwash for the family of Sally S. Johnson-Huddleston will start at 7:00 a.m. Saturday at the Shell gasoline station on the northwest corner of McClintock Drive and Elliot Road in Tempe, AZ.
Memorial service: A Memorial service will be held for Sally S. Johnson-Huddleston on Sunday at 2:00 p.m., Crossroads Nazarene Church, 2950 W. Ray Road, Chandler, Arizona
Mesa PD Community Meeting: The Mesa Police Department is hosting a community meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 28th at the St. Matthew United Methodist Church, 2540 W. Baseline Road, Mesa, AZ. Mesa police Comander Mark Wesselman will provide information on the incident, answer residents’ questions, and provide crime statistics to help dispel any speculation and rumors surrounding such a traumatic community event. For additional information, call (480) 644-2539 or (480) 644-2620
