On Saturday, a man was taken into custody after shooting three people, two of which are dead, in North Phoenix.
According to Phoenix Police Sergeant Rob Scherer, on June 3, 2023, around 3:15 a.m., officers were in the area of 29th Avenue and Bell Road when they heard several gunshots. The officers went to the area of the shots fired, and observed a man running from the scene. Officers chased and detained the man, later identified as 20-year-old Jermaine Smith.
Additional officers responded to the area and located the three victims all suffering from gunshot wounds. Two of the victims, 65-year-old Jerry Carter and 55-year-old Jessica Velasquez, were pronounced deceased on scene. The final victim, a woman, was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Detectives believe that Smith was engaging with the victims when he produced a handgun and shot all three. Smith made admissions to portions of the incident.
Smith was booked on several charges including murder.