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‘Chose to do the unimaginable’: 22-year-old sentenced after randomly killing a man at buffet
By Ben Bradley at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 12, 2026
· 2 min read
PHOENIX (KPHO/Gray News) - A 22-year-old will spend two decades behind bars for randomly killing a man at a buffet in Arizona, according to authorities.Roberto Antonio Trejo, 22, was sentenced last month to 20 years in prison for the murder of 66-year-old Frank Anthony Vitale in Avondale nearly t...
Key takeaway Roberto Antonio Trejo, 22, was sentenced last month to 20 years in prison for the murder of 66-year-old Frank Anthony Vitale in Avondale nearly two years ago, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office announced on Friday.
Why this matters in The Nashville
This senseless murder in Arizona has no direct connection to Nashville , but it raises questions about public safety in crowded areas like buffets and restaurants that are common in the city. Nashville residents often gather in similar establishments, and the idea that a random act of violence can occur in a mundane setting is unsettling. The fact that the perpetrator had been released from prison and was on supervised probation at the time of the shooting also highlights the importance of effective probation systems and community reintegration programs. In Nashville, where community events and gatherings are frequent, it is crucial for law enforcement and community leaders to work together to prevent such tragedies and ensure that individuals who have been released from prison are properly supervised and supported to reduce the risk of recidivism.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 12, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? PHOENIX (KPHO/Gray News) - A 22-year-old will spend two decades behind bars for randomly killing a man at a buffet in Arizona, according to authorities.Roberto Antonio Trejo, 22, was sentenced last month to 20 years in prison for the murder of 66-year-old Frank Anthony Vitale in Avondale nearly t...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 12, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ben Bradley at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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