Murder charge for Tucson man after fatal park shooting kills 19-year-old

Fabian Arias-Sierra, 20, faces second-degree murder after Anthony Mendoza Valenzuela was shot dead at Thomas Jay Regional Park in Tucson on Saturday.

Tucson man, 20, charged with murder over fatal shooting at Thomas Jay Regional Park

Fabian Arias-Sierra, 20, appeared in court on Sunday, September 7, following his arrest in connection with a fatal shooting the previous evening at a Tucson park, kold.com reports.

The Tucson Police Department responded to a report of shots fired at Thomas Jay Regional Park on Saturday night, September 5. Officers found 19-year-old Anthony Estevan Mendoza Valenzuela, who was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives established that Mendoza Valenzuela had been at the park with several people before the shooting occurred.

Arias-Sierra was charged with second-degree murder. At his initial court appearance, the state requested a bond of $1,000,000.

A woman who identified herself as the victim's mother addressed the judge during the hearing, stating she believes the shooting was accidental and described Arias-Sierra as "a good kid." The state contested that characterisation, arguing the location of the wounds on the victim indicated the shooting was not accidental.

The judge ordered Arias-Sierra to be released to pretrial services. His next court appearance was set for September 28.

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)