Cottonwood woman accused in Halloween shooting arrested

Michelle Rigsby (Cottonwood Police Department)

Michelle Rigsby (Cottonwood Police Department)

A Cottonwood woman accused of being involved in a shooting in Old Town on Halloween night was arrested Sunday on weapons, aggravated assault and false reporting charges, according to Cottonwood Police.

Michelle Rigsby, 37, and Michael Cenera, 35 are allegedly involved in a shooting near the 1000 block of North Second Street, according to Cottonwood Police.

On Halloween night, Cottonwood Police received reports of gunshots near Yavapai and North First Street, said Cottonwood Police Sgt. Monica Kuhlt. They later learned that Cenera and Rigsby were at a man's residence to confront him about property that was allegedly stolen from Rigsby, according to police. Kuhlt said all parties involved knew each other.

Kuhlt said Cenera shot at the man several times but missed.

“The victim was not hit but his residence suffered damage from the bullets,” Kuhlt said.

According to police, both Cenera and Rigsby fled the scene but were later found in Camp Verde the following evening.

“At the time, officers weren’t able to show Rigsby was actively involved,” Kuhlt said. “Since then, probable cause was established and evidence seized that showed she was directly and actively involved.”

Rigsby was arrested and booked into the Yavapai County Detention Center on charges of transferring a deadly weapon to a prohibited possessor, possession of a deadly weapon, aggravated assault and false reporting, according to police.

All charges are felonies except for the false reporting, Kuhlt said.

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Michael Cenera (Cottonwood Police Department)

A 35-year-old Cottonwood man was arrested on Nov. 1 after “pulling a gun” and shooting and missing a man several times on Halloween night near Old Town, according to Cottonwood Police.

Michael Cenera is facing several felony charges of unlawful discharge of a firearm, aggravated assault, disorderly conduct and misconduct involving a simulated explosive, police said.

On Halloween night, Cottonwood Police received reports of gunshots near Yavapai and North First Street, said Cottonwood Police Sgt. Monica Kuhlt. They later learned that Cenera and a woman were at a man's residence to confront him about property that was allegedly stolen from the woman, Kuhlt said.

“All parties involved knew each other,” Kuhlt said.

According to police, Cenera “pulled a gun” and shot at the man several times but missed. He then fled on foot.

“The victim was not hit but his residence suffered damage from the bullets,” Kuhlt said.

The next day on Nov. 1, officers received information that Cenera and the woman he was with were at a residence in a Yavapai-Apache reservation in Camp Verde, according to police. The Yavapai-Apache Police Department and the Camp Verde Marshal’s Office both assisted Cottonwood Police in the arrest, police said.

A possible bomb was located inside the room of the residence, Kuhlt said. A squad was called and rendered the bomb safe.

“They destroyed the device and determined it was non-operational,” Kuhlt said. “The female companion was not charged”

Cenera was booked into the Yavapai County Detention Center on felony charges, according to police. He was also charged with misdemeanor criminal damage, according to police.

Cenera was booked into the Yavapai County Detention Center on the felony charges, according to police. He was also charged with misdemeanor criminal damage, according to police.

According to court documents, Cenera pleaded guilty on criminal impersonation and criminal damage charges in 2016. He was released from prison on May 20.

Court documents also show Cenera has also been convicted on a dangerous drug violation, misconduct involving weapons and leaving the scene of an accident/death.


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