local
‘Chose to do the unimaginable’: 22-year-old sentenced after randomly killing a man at buffet
By Ben Bradley at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· 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 Midland
The senseless murder of a man at a buffet in Arizona has Midland residents thinking about public safety in their own community. While this incident occurred outside of the Permian Basin, it raises questions about the potential for random violence in local public spaces, such as restaurants and shopping centers. Midland's own law enforcement agencies have been working to improve response times and community engagement, which could help prevent or quickly respond to similar incidents. The fact that the perpetrator in this case was on supervised probation after a recent prison release also highlights the importance of effective probation and parole systems in preventing repeat offenses. As Midland continues to grow and develop, it's crucial for local authorities to prioritize public safety and consider strategies to mitigate the risk of violent crime in public areas.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland 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 KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 12, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
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 KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ben Bradley at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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