Tempe PD: 17-year-old male arrested after shooting man in face

PHOENIX — A 17-year-old male was arrested on Friday night after allegedly shooting and killing a man in a parking lot, according to the Tempe Police Department.

The incident occurred near Scottsdale Road just south of the Loop 202 at approximately 5:15 p.m.

Prior to the shooting, a hit-and-run collision occurred that resulted in all five occupants of the impacted vehicle — all of which were minors — attempting to flee on foot, police said.

The victim, 22-year-old Joseph Delegge, witnessed the accident and located three of the five juveniles in a nearby parking lot, where he revealed to be in possession of a handgun and told the three juveniles to sit on the curb while he contacted police, according to authorities.

Officials say that one of the unlocated juveniles that fled the hit-and-run incident, the 17-year-old suspect, arrived in the parking lot and was also told to sit down by Delegge after revealing his handgun.

The suspect then proceeded to remove a revolver-style handgun from his pants, approached Delegge and shot him once in the right cheek, according to police.

Delegge was found unresponsive with his weapon located inside his waistband upon officers’ arrival. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead, authorities said.

The juveniles fled the scene and the 17-year-old suspect also attempted to rid his backpack which contained the weapon by throwing it into Tempe Town Lake, but responding police officers were able to locate all the minors, as well as the backpack and handgun, according to police.

The suspect was booked into the Durango holding facility on charges of second-degree murder, tampering with evidence, minor in possession of a weapon, minor in possession of marijuana, possession of a narcotic drug, hit-and-run and driving on a suspended license, authorities said.

The investigation is ongoing. No other information was made immediately available.

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