TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Tucson Police are investigating three separate homicides that all took place in the early morning hours of Saturday, Oct. 12.
Man killed, another arrested after Midtown shooting
Just after 12:30 a.m. Saturday, officers responded to a shooting in Midtown near 1501 N. Oracle Road. They found a 43-year-old man in the desert area just east of Francisco Elias Esquer Park. He was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead. Police have not released his identity yet.
After interviews, detectives believe the victim was involved in a verbal altercation with a group of people, which escalated.
Detectives identified one member of that group as 29-year-old Johnny Esparza. Officers found Esparza later that morning at a downtown bar and arrested him without incident. He was booked into Pima County Detention Center and charged with First Degree Murder, Armed Robbery and Aggravated Robbery.
The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to call 88-CRIME.
Westside shooting near trailhead kills 17-year-old
Just before 2:30 a.m. Saturday, officers responded to reports of gunshots near a trailhead off W. 36th Street.
Shortly after the reports of gunfire, 17-year-old Keven Yanez Acuña was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital with gunshot wounds. He was later pronounced dead.
According to detectives, Acuña is believed to have been involved in a verbal altercation with a group of people when shots were fired.
The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to call 88-CRIME.
Man found dead on Eastside street
Just before 6:00 a.m. Saturday, officers and Tucson Fire personnel found an unresponsive man in the road with "obvious signs of trauma" near E. Seneca Street and N. Ridgeway Road.
The man was identified as 31-year-old Demeris Johnson. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
TPD did not specify how they believe Johnson was killed, but the incident is being investigated as a homicide.
The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to call 88-CRIME.
