Two Men Sentenced for Phoenix Teen's Drug Deal Murder

Agel Chan Ring and Nathan Da Ron James pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the 2024 killing of 17-year-old Aidan Apel.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Two men, Agel Chan Ring and Nathan Da Ron James, were sentenced to prison on Thursday for the July 2024 murder of 17-year-old Aidan Apel in Phoenix, Arizona. The shooting occurred after the men lured Apel to a location under the pretense of purchasing marijuana, at which point Ring shot Apel twice in the chest. Ring and James were connected to the crime through witness statements, social media videos, cell phone records, and DNA evidence.

Why it matters

This case highlights the dangerous intersection of illegal drug activity and violence, particularly involving young people. The lengthy sentences handed down reflect the seriousness with which the Maricopa County Attorney's Office views such crimes and the need to address drug-related violence in the community.

The details

Ring, 19, and James, 20, pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder. The shooting occurred near 5th Avenue and Pima Street, where police found Apel with multiple gunshot wounds in the driver's seat of a vehicle. Investigators determined that Ring shot Apel twice in the chest after Apel retrieved marijuana from his car's center console. Ring was arrested near the crime scene, while James was apprehended months later in Kansas City, Missouri. Evidence linking the men to the shooting included witness statements, social media videos, cell phone records, and DNA analysis. Following the shooting, Ring and James reportedly stole marijuana, Apel's phone, and a gun.

  • The shooting occurred on July 28, 2024.
  • Ring was arrested near the crime scene.
  • James was apprehended months later in Kansas City, Missouri.

The players

Agel Chan Ring

A 19-year-old who pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder for his role in the shooting.

Nathan Da Ron James

A 20-year-old who pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder for his role in the shooting.

Aidan Apel

A 17-year-old who was murdered during the drug deal shooting.

Rachel Mitchell

The Maricopa County Attorney who stated that cases like this happen far too often and credited the Phoenix Police Department and Drug Trafficking Prosecutor Sarah Lundstedt with securing the convictions.

Sarah Lundstedt

The Drug Trafficking Prosecutor who worked with the Phoenix Police Department to secure the convictions.

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What they’re saying

“We see cases like this far too often. Teenagers planning armed robberies over marijuana or vape products and senselessly murdering someone in the process.”

— Rachel Mitchell, Maricopa County Attorney (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

Further investigations could reveal additional details surrounding the events leading up to the shooting. The sentences imposed on Ring and James conclude the criminal proceedings against them, though appeals are a possible next step. The case may also prompt further discussion about drug-related crime and safety measures in the Phoenix area.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the need to address the dangerous intersection of illegal drug activity and violence, particularly among young people. The lengthy sentences handed down reflect the seriousness with which the Maricopa County Attorney's Office views such crimes and the importance of community-wide efforts to prevent similar tragedies in the future.