Tucson Police have identified the late Sean Rashad-Odell Howell as the suspect in the shooting death of Ryan Hercher in May 2019.
According to Tucson Police, the investigation into the murder of the 39-year-old Hercher led detectives to identify Hercher’s shooter as Howell, who was subsequently the victim of a homicide in September 2020.
Howell was the victim of a gang-related shooting in the parking lot of Christie’s Cabaret, located at 6608 S. Tucson Blvd. near Valencia Road on September 7, 2020. He succumbed to injuries after he was shot by 25-year-old Dimitri Romero following a verbal argument involving the two and several other individuals.
Detectives from the Gun Crimes Reduction Unit made an arrest in the murder of Howell who was 33 years old at the time of his death. Latent palm prints from Howell were compared to evidence collected from the homicide scene. The comparison confirmed Howell’s involvement in the murder of Hercher.
On May 2, 2019, at approximately 1:20 a.m., officers were dispatched to the area of east 29th Street and South Columbus Boulevard for reports of gunshots heard in the neighborhood. An additional 911 call was made by a woman who reported her boyfriend, Ryan Hercher, had just been shot at an apartment complex located at 4100 East 29th Street.
When officers arrived on scene, they located Hercher and his girlfriend just west of the complex. Hercher was lying on the ground next to his vehicle. He had obvious signs of gunshot trauma, but was alert and talking. Officers immediately began rendering aid to Hercher and continued treatment until Tucson Fire arrived. Tucson Fire took over medical treatment and transported Hercher to Banner University Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. Shortly after arrival, Hercher succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.
Detectives were able to determine that Hercher was involved in an altercation with Howell in the parking lot of the complex. During the altercation, shots were fired and Hercher was struck. Hercher then drove his vehicle out of the complex and across South Irving Avenue where his vehicle collided with a block wall.