18-year-old accused of shooting man, dumping body in Phoenix desert

PHOENIX – An 18-year-old man was arrested for allegedly killing a kidnapping victim and dumping the body in a north Phoenix desert area, authorities said Thursday.

The family of 19-year-old Oscar Ortega reported at around 8 a.m. Wednesday he might have been kidnapped near Seventh Avenue and Union Hills Drive, according to a Phoenix Police Department press release.

Officers learned Ortega was forced into a vehicle at gunpoint after leaving his girlfriend’s house around 2 a.m.

Jerssen Perez, 18, allegedly shot the victim inside the vehicle before disposing of the body, according to police.

Officers located Perez near the scene of the kidnapping around 3 p.m., police said.

He was arrested and booked on murder and kidnapping counts after admitting his involvement, according to police.

No other information was immediately available.

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