ARIZONA NEWS

Suspect killed by Tempe officers shot Black people in ‘racially motivated’ attacks, police say

Oct 8, 2024, 2:26 PM | Updated: 2:49 pm

2 racially-motivated crimes allegedly preceded fatal gunfire...

A white suspect shot and killed by Tempe Police on Oct. 1 committed two aggravated assaults against Black people prior to opening fire on officers, authorities said. (Tempe Police Department File Photo/via X)

(Tempe Police Department File Photo/via X)

PHOENIX — A man fatally shot by Tempe Police earlier this month has been connected to two racially-motivated crimes, authorities announced on Tuesday.

Jason Alexander Fox, 27, targeted Black people in two separate aggravated assaults at Tempe Beach Park before midnight on Sept. 30, according to the Tempe Police Department.

Fox, who is white, later allegedly opened fire on Tempe police officers who were trying to pull him over, wounding one in the arm.

What racially-motivated crimes did Tempe suspect allegedly commit?

In the first incident, he allegedly shouted racial slurs at a couple near the Mill Avenue Bridge before taking out a handgun and taking off.

Twenty minutes after threatening the couple, midnight had passed.

Fox allegedly confronted a second group of victims, making more racial slurs and taking out his handgun again.

This time, he opened fire, shooting a man in the face and leaving the victim seriously injured, police said.

What led to shooting involving Tempe Police?

After the aggravated assault, Fox ran into a nearby apartment complex, police said.

Authorities with Tempe PD’s criminal investigations bureau tracked him down and tried to take him into custody.

Fox then allegedly opened fire and shot one of the officers in the arm.

The detectives returned fire, fatally wounding Fox, who was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

The injured officer was taken to a local hospital for treatment and was later released.

Anyone who has information about Fox or these alleged racially-motivated incidents is urged to contact the Tempe Police Department at 480-350-8311. Callers can choose to give reports anonymously.

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Suspect killed by Tempe officers shot Black people in ‘racially motivated’ attacks, police say