Manuel Ortega-callejas

In the early morning hours, a tragic chain of events unfolded in north Phoenix, culminating in the death of 19-year-old Oscar Ortega. After leaving his girlfriend's home around 2:00 a.m., Ortega sent a chilling text message to her, stating he had been kidnapped. An altercation outside the residence was captured on video, showing Ortega being forced into his own vehicle at gunpoint.

The suspect, identified as 18-year-old Jerson Perez, then drove Ortega approximately 25 miles north of the L ...