Shooting at Chandler Amazon facility may have been motivated by jealousy

PHOENIX — The man who opened fire outside an Amazon facility in Chandler earlier this week may have been acting out of jealousy, authorities said Friday.

The suspect, Jacob Murphy, died during Wednesday’s incident in a parking lot near McQueen and Queen Creek roads.

Murphy didn’t know the man he seriously wounded in the shooting, police said. The victim, an Amazon contract worker, is expected to survive.

“We have learned Murphy had jealousy issues regarding his girlfriend, who worked at Amazon, but was not at work on this day. Due to this, Murphy proceeded to the Amazon facility in an attempt to contact a male employee he only knew by name,” Sgt. Jason McClimans said in a press release.

“The victim contacted Murphy in the parking lot, feeling something was strange, and attempted to get Murphy to exit the property. This is when Murphy shot the victim numerous times.”

Another Amazon contract worker, who was armed, saw what was happening and shot Murphy.

Murphy was dead when officers arrived at the scene around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. Police said Friday he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound and shots from the other man.

“Our investigation has determined approximately ten shots were fired throughout this incident,” McClimans said.

The man who shot Murphy is not considered a suspect. Police say he acted to protect the victim.

When the investigation is finished, the case will be forwarded for review to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, standard practice for all shootings, police said.

The Chandler complex operates as a pickup zone for contracted Amazon Flex drivers and others, who pick up packages to typically deliver for the same or next day to customers.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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