In the early morning hours of June 2, 2024, the city of Tucson was met with a grim discovery that would soon unfold into a homicide investigation. Joseph Baker, a 56-year-old male, was found unresponsive in front of a business located at 29 N. Tucson Blvd. Personnel from the Tucson Fire Department were the first to arrive on the scene, where they found Mr. Baker with evident signs of gunshot trauma.
Despite their efforts, he was pronounced deceased at the location.
The Tucson Police Department's Homicide Unit promptly took over the investigation, securing the area and beginning the meticulous process of gathering evidence and conducting initial interviews. In the days that followed, detectives worked to piece together the events that led to the fatal shooting. The investigation was in its early stages, and authorities initially sought help from the public for any information that could lead to the identification of a suspect.
Through a combination of forensic evidence examination and thorough interviews, investigators were able to identify a person of interest. This led them to 20-year-old Jorge Figueroa Urrea, who was already being held at the Pima County Jail on charges unrelated to the shooting. On June 13, 2024, homicide detectives interviewed Mr. Urrea at the jail. Following the interview, he was charged with one count of 1st Degree Murder in connection with the death of Joseph Baker.
