Tempe Police made their first arrest in connection with the Jan. 18 murder of 22-year-old Allen Philip Cropper and the assault of two other men on the 1800 block of East Hayden Lane.
Police arrested 20-year-old Phoenix resident Blaine Christopher Griffin Jr. Wednesday, according to a Monday Tempe Police press release.
Cropper was shot and killed inside his home at Hayden Lane Apartments. The incident involved two gunmen and three victims.
When the suspect, Griffin, and an unidentified man attempted to purchase marijuana at Cropper’s apartment, the transaction turned violent, according to the press release.
Cropper sustained a serious gunshot wound during the confrontation and died on the way to a nearby hospital.
One man was beaten, while the other man sustained a minor gunshot wound.
Police are still searching for the other suspect, described as a 22-year-old black man, weighing approximately 250 pounds with short, shaved hair, about 5-feet-10-inches tall and possibly driving in a dark blue Chevrolet Suburban or Tahoe.
Police are asking the public to report any knowledge they may have regarding the whereabouts of the second suspect. Witnesses should call Tempe Police or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.
Reach the reporter at sraymund@asu.edu
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