In the early morning hours of November 29, 2013, the day after Thanksgiving, 59-year-old Jeffery Bellemare was shot and killed while on duty as a uniformed security guard at the Graybriar Apartments in the Maryvale neighborhood of Phoenix, Arizona. The fatal encounter occurred around 1:30 a.m. at the apartment complex located at 3810 N. Maryvale Parkway.
His family recalls him leaving their Thanksgiving celebration to head to work, a decision that would tragically be his last.
Witnesses reported seeing a male and a female fleeing the scene shortly after the shooting. The suspects were described as a white or light-skinned Hispanic male and female. They were seen getting into an older model sedan, which possibly had a vinyl top and pre-existing damage to the front end. Investigators believe Bellemare may have been targeted in retaliation for his work as a security guard, with his family noting he had recently reported a domestic violence incident involving drugs at the complex. Some witnesses reported hearing someone say, 'this is what you deserve,' before the fatal shots were fired.
Despite the passage of time, the case remains unsolved, and no arrests have been made. The Phoenix Police Department has continued to investigate, releasing composite sketches of the two suspects to the public in the hope of generating new leads. The investigation has seen periods where leads have run dry, but authorities and Bellemare's family remain hopeful for a breakthrough. A reward of up to $2,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those responsible for his murder. His wife, Karan, and their two sons, Jason and Kyle, continue to seek justice and closure.
