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Surveillance video captures deadly Tempe shooting
Newly-released surveillance video captured the terrifying moments that following a shooting along Mill Avenue in Tempe that resulted in the death of 22-year-old Jacob Jaime. FOX 10's Jacob Luthi reports.
TEMPE, Ariz. - New surveillance video showing the terrifying moments following a deadly shooting along Mill Avenue in Tempe.
The backstory:
The shooting happened at 2:19 a.m. on March 28 near 3rd Street and Mill Avenue.
Tempe Police say after officers got to the scene, they found 22-year-old Jacob Jaime with a gunshot wound. He was taken to a hospital where he later died. A second man who was hurt in the shooting suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Aidan Zepeda (MCSO)
On March 29, 23-year-old Aidan Zepeda was arrested in connection with the incident. He is accused of multiple murder charges.
New video:
The newly-released surveillance video captured the chaotic moments in the immediate aftermath of gunfire.
Investigators say a verbal altercation on Mill Avenue escalated to gunfire, with police recovering 23 shell casings in a crowded area — where dozens of people were seen running, diving to the ground, and shielding others as the shots rang out.
On April 2, signs of the shooting remain visible.
"They had this bit of marker right off the gate. And then there was a bullet, a bullet piece right there, like in front of our door behind us," said Carissa Vasquez, who helps run her family’s business, Tacos Calafia in Tempe.
Vasquez says the shooting left bullet holes scattered around the restaurant.
"I'm glad, you know, no bystanders got hurt. It could have easily been way worse considering our patio and everything," she said. "I think it's safe. But, you know, there's always risks with, like, the partying and stuff."
What they're saying:
Officials with Tempe Police say officers responded in a matter of seconds.
"Having a bike team down there is very important. So we always want to be able to respond to calls for service and respond quickly, so that we can address any situation as soon as possible," said Lt. Ronald Elcock.
Lt. Elcock said while the incident is serious, it is not reflective of the day-to-day experience in Tempe.
"We want to make people feel comfortable coming here, and want to come here to enjoy themselves," said Lt. Elcock. "It is a safe place for people to come visit."
Vasquez says safety has improved downtown in recent years.
"We've been open for three years. And in that time, they've established, like, four different types of, like, security in the area that we can call if we have problems," Vasquez said. "I wasn't there when that happened. So I will say when I first started here, I would see more, like, fights and stuff on the street, but it's eased up a bit."
The Source: Information for this article was gathered by FOX 10's Jacob Luthi, with supplemental information gathered from previous, relevant FOX 10 news reports.