A Tempe man is dead and his father is in custody charged with his murder.
According to the Yuma County’s Sheriff’s Office, on Monday, December 12, 2022, at approximately 7:15 a.m., deputies responded to a report of a man lying along the shoulder of the roadway in the area of Interstate 8 and Mile Marker 65.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) was the first agency to arrive on scene and located the man, Mario Nez, age 19, who had apparent gunshot wounds and was pronounced deceased on scene. While on scene, a report of a vehicle collision on Interstate 8 and Mile Marker 54 was received. One of the vehicles involved in the collision was later discovered to be involved with the homicide.
The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) Criminal Investigations Bureau responded and assumed the investigation. The suspect, and father of the victim, Jose Gallardo, 36, of Mesa, was believed to still be on foot in the area and a search was commenced. The area was canvassed and with aerial assistance of Western Sky Helicopters, Gallardo was located in the area of Mile Marker 54, in the desert.
Gallardo was booked into the Yuma County Detention Center on 1st Degree Murder.
Anyone with information regarding this case, is asked to contact the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office at 928-783-4427 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous. You can also visit www.yumacountysheriff.org to submit an anonymous tip.