Tucson Father Shoots, Kills Son’s Pick-Up Basketball Game Opponent

Tucson Police, on October 8, 2018, at approximately 8:30 p.m., were dispatched to the basketball courts at 655 N. Craycroft Road for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located 29-year-old Vashaun Baker on the ground with obvious signs of gunshot trauma.

Tucson Fire responded and immediately transported the victim to Banner University Medical Center, however; the victim succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival.

Detectives were able to determine that Vashaun was playing basketball with several other individuals when he got into a physical altercation with one of the players. Immediately following the altercation, the other player involved (18-year-old) left the court and called his father, 38-year-old Paul John Alvarez. After learning about the altercation, Alvarez drove to the basketball court alone and asked the players if they knew who had been fighting with his son. Vashaun was still at the court and informed Alvarez that he was the one involved. Alvarez then pulled out a handgun and shot Vashaun multiple times. Alvarez fled the scene in his vehicle before police arrived.

During the shooting, one of the rounds struck the hood of an occupied vehicle that was parked in the parking lot. A mother and her 18-month-old child were seated in the front seat of the vehicle.

On October 9, 2018, just hours after the shooting, Alvarez turned himself into police. Alvarez was booked into the Pima County Jail on one count of First Degree Murder and two counts of Endangerment.

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