Four homicides occurred in Tempe from January 2006 through July 2006, matching the total number of homicides for all of 2005, police said.
"It's too early to tell if the increase in 2006 is a trend," said Officer Brandon Banks, a Tempe police spokesman.
The Tempe police, however, caught a suspect in the most recent homicide in the city, Banks said.
Amadore Rodriguez, a 23-year-old Tempe resident, was killed on Mother's Day at 2416 E. Laird St., police said.
The location of the homicide was near Loop 101 and University Drive, less than two miles from ASU's Tempe campus.
Tempe police arrested Matthew Ricardo Perez, a 20-year-old man and alleged gang member, on Aug. 23, said Tempe police spokesman Sgt. Dan Hastings.
"There are no other suspects," Hastings said. "We are confident he is the shooter."
Hastings said this was the only gang-related murder in Tempe this year. He said for a city the size of Tempe the crime rate is low. Tempe's population is about 161,000, according to a 2005 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, making the murder rate about three per 100,000 people.
"I feel safe to walk around on campus and it is well lit," said Christian Gomez, a business freshman.
The city of Phoenix had 127 homicides through the first six months of 2006, and 238 homicides during 2005 said Phoenix police spokeswoman Stacie Derge.
Phoenix's population is about 1,460,000, according to the same estimate. The Phoenix murder rate is about 16 per 100,000 people.
The high-profile Serial Shooter and Baseline Killer cases have focused more attention on violent crime in Phoenix this year, Derge said.
The Serial Shooter suspects have been caught and are charged with two counts of first-degree murder, 14 counts of attempted first-degree murder and 16 counts of drive-by shootings.
"We are confident they are the serial shooter suspects," Derge said.
Derge said the Baseline Killer is still at large and is suspected to be responsible for 23 incidents of robbery, sexual assault and homicide in the Valley. She said there is a massive effort to catch the killer.
"We currently have about 150 people assigned to the Baseline Killer task force," she said. "We've had 8,000 phone call tips through silent witness over the last two months."
With the recent high-profile violent crime cases, some ASU students at the Downtown campus are glad there is a strong police presence on campus.
"There are so many other students and security on campus, I do feel safe," said Karina Escarcega, a nursing freshman.
"We are trying to have a strong presence here," said Phoenix police Officer Larry Arrey. "We have officers on bicycles, on foot, in patrol cars and monitoring traffic."
Derge said the Serial Shooters and the Baseline Killer are an unusual situation.
"Most victims of violent crimes do know the suspect already," she said. "But, if someone stays away from criminal activity or dangerous activity, such as walking alone at night, they are a low-risk to be a victim of violent crime."
Sarah Cloward, a nursing junior, is relieved the Serial Shooters were caught, but still practices safe habits.
"My mom still tells me to have someone walk me to my car," she said.
Reach the reporter at: jeffrey.mitchell@asu.edu.
