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The Phoenix Police Department has identified the boy found shot to death on a Phoenix sidewalk yesterday morning.
The victim is 13-year-old Jonathan Garcia-Valladares. His body was found just blocks from the Phoenix home where he lives with his parents.
According to police, Garcia-Valladares was jogging near 28th Street and Thomas Road early yesterday morning when he was shot just before 8 a.m.
Neighbors reported hearing yelling coming from the area where his body was found. They told police they heard multiple gun shots after the yelling and witnesses saw a car leaving the scene.
One witness followed the suspect for several blocks but lost him a few streets from the scene of the shooting.
Initially, police didn’t know the identity of the victim, but put
two-and-two together when Garcia-Valladares’ parents called police to
report their son had not returned home from his jog.
Detectives believe the shooting may be random. However, they have a person of interest they need the public’s help in finding.
The person of interest is described as a black male, about 5-foot-6 to
5-foot-8. At the time of the shooting, he was wearing a blue
baseball cap with red trim, a white T-shirt and baggy jeans. He might
have long, braided hair.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Phoenix Police Department.
