In the early morning hours of June 3, 2023, the life of 55-year-old Hispanic female Jessica Lynn Velasquez was tragically cut short in a burst of gunfire in Phoenix, Arizona. The incident unfolded around 3:15 a.m. near 29th Avenue and Bell Road, where Phoenix police officers on patrol heard the distinct sound of multiple gunshots. Rushing to the scene, they discovered a grim tableau: three individuals struck by bullets.
Jessica Lynn Velasquez and another victim, 65-year-old Jerry Carter, were pronounced dead at the scene. A third woman was also wounded in the shooting but was expected to survive her injuries.
Responding officers witnessed a man, later identified as 20-year-old Jermaine Smith, fleeing the area on foot. After a brief chase, law enforcement was able to apprehend and take him into custody. The investigation that followed revealed that Smith had interacted with the three victims before he produced a handgun and opened fire. Based on evidence collected at the scene and Smith's own partial admissions, authorities established probable cause for his arrest. He was subsequently booked into jail on multiple charges, including murder.
Jessica Lynn Velasquez, a resident of Sun City, Arizona, was remembered for her vibrant spirit and deep love for her family. She was a mother to two sons, Dallas and Mathew. She was also survived by her mother, Deborah Lynn, and her siblings, Michael, Gweniviere, Jonathan, Andrew, and Alysha. The violent and sudden nature of her death sent ripples of grief through her community, highlighting the devastating impact of gun violence.
