In the evening hours of a Thursday in Phoenix, a life of entrepreneurial spirit and family devotion was tragically cut short. Michael Hatcher, a 49-year-old Black man, was found with a gunshot wound near Southern Avenue and 16th Street on September 17, 2020. Phoenix Police officers responded to the scene at approximately 6:20 p.m. and discovered Hatcher, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
This senseless act of violence came just nine days after he had realized a lifelong dream of opening his own restaurant, a culmination of six years of hard work that began with a humble hot dog cart.
The investigation into Hatcher's death quickly led to a suspect. Phoenix Police arrested 18-year-old Deavione Jones in connection with the fatal shooting. He was subsequently booked into Maricopa County Jail and faced a charge of first-degree murder. Preliminary information released by authorities suggested that the shooting was not a random act of violence. Investigators believe that Hatcher and Jones were acquainted and that an altercation between them occurred immediately before the shooting. The investigation into the specific circumstances of their dispute is ongoing.
Michael Hatcher was a beloved figure in his community, known for his dedication to his family and his entrepreneurial drive. He was a husband, a father to six children, and a grandfather to three. His dream of owning a restaurant was born from a desire to give back to the community he loved. His death has left his family and friends devastated, not only by the sudden loss but also by the violent nature of his passing. A GoFundMe page was established to help his family with the unexpected funeral costs and to honor the legacy of a man who had just begun to see his dreams come to fruition.
