The Tempe Police Department arrested a 23-year-old suspect on March 29 in connection to a fatal shooting that occurred early the previous morning in downtown Tempe, according to a city press release.
The suspect, identified as Aidan Zepeda, is facing charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, unlawful discharge of firearms and endangerment, according to the City of Tempe.
Two men were injured during the shooting on March 28 at 2:19 a.m. on South Mill Avenue near West Fourth Street. One victim, 22-year-old Jacob Jaime, Jr., was taken to a nearby hospital and later died due to his injuries. The second victim's injuries were not life-threatening and did not need hospital care, the press release said.
A Tempe Police Department spokesperson confirmed no one involved was an ASU student.
"The deadly shooting happened in the early morning hours after downtown businesses and bars had closed," the city of Tempe said in the press release. "While this incident is taken very seriously, it is not reflective of the day-to-day experience in Tempe."
The investigation is active.
Editor's note: This story is developing and may be updated.
Edited by Carsten Oyer, Jack McCarthy, Sophia Braccio
Reach the reporter at sjames51@asu.edu and follow @sennajames_ on X.
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Senna James is a Managing Editor at The State Press where she helps manage and edit stories published on the digital newspaper. She previously interned for AZ Big Media as an Editorial Intern. She is in her sixth semester with The State Press working previously as the Community and Culture Editor.
