TEMPE, AZ — Three unsheltered people were shot at a park on the night of Wednesday, February 12. One of the victims later died.
Police were called to Mitchell Park near University and Hardy drives around 9:30 p.m. for reports of a shooting.
A group of unsheltered people were in the park when a man approached them and started shooting, wounding three men.
One of the victims, identified as 56-year-old Randolph Fraser, died at a hospital. The other two men, ages 26 and 46, were also injured.
On Thursday, February 13, police announced that 37-year-old Aaron Sussex was identified as the shooting suspect. They say he was known to several of the victims and the shooting was a targeted attack directed at one of the individuals.
Sussex was booked into jail to face several charges, including first-degree murder, aggravated assault, endangerment, and misconduct involving weapons.
On March 4, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced Sussex was indicted for first degree murder.
Sussex remains in custody on a $500,000 cash-only bond. His trial is scheduled for October 2025.
