In the early morning hours of December 28, 2025, the vibrant nightlife of downtown Phoenix was shattered by the sound of gunfire near First and Washington streets. Eyosiyas Belema Jote, a 21-year-old man, was tragically caught in the violence, sustaining a gunshot wound to the head. The incident, which occurred around 2:15 a.m., also left three women injured, although their wounds were not considered life-threatening.
First responders quickly transported all four victims to a local hospital.
While the three women were expected to recover, Eyosiyas fought for his life in critical condition. The Phoenix Police Department's homicide detectives immediately began a thorough investigation into the shooting. Their efforts led to a swift arrest the following day. On December 29, 2025, authorities took 22-year-old Keon Malik Joubert into custody in connection with the shooting. He was subsequently booked on four counts of aggravated assault as the investigation continued.
Tragically, after several days in the hospital, Eyosiyas Belema Jote succumbed to his injuries on January 3, 2026. Following his death, the Phoenix Police Department announced that they were working with the Maricopa County Attorney's Office to consider upgrading the charges against Joubert to include homicide. Authorities have indicated that they do not believe there are any other suspects involved in the incident. The investigation remains ongoing.
