In the early hours of October 14, 2024, a violent confrontation outside a Phoenix, Arizona apartment complex tragically cut short the life of 29-year-old Rashaad O'Shea Johnson. The incident, which unfolded around 12:50 a.m. near 1300 West Sunland Avenue, also left a 32-year-old woman with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. When first responders arrived at the scene, Johnson was pronounced dead from his injuries.
Preliminary information from homicide investigators suggests that Johnson
was involved in a dispute that escalated into gunfire. The shooting not only struck Johnson and the female victim but also damaged several nearby residences. Following an extensive manhunt, police apprehended 49-year-old Refugio Jimenez as the suspect in the shooting. At the time of his arrest, Jimenez was wearing body armor and was found in possession of a handgun and methamphetamine.
During questioning, Jimenez claimed that he acted in self-defense, a statement that authorities say is not supported by the evidence collected at the scene. He was subsequently arrested and booked into the Maricopa County Jail. Jimenez faces a litany of nine felony charges, including first-degree murder, burglary, misconduct involving weapons as a prohibited possessor, aggravated assault with a firearm, misconduct involving body armor, felony trespassing, and possession of a dangerous drug. The investigation into the deadly shooting is ongoing.
