On the night of September 29, 2023, 33-year-old Leander Nephew was found critically wounded by a gunshot in downtown Phoenix after officers responded about 11:15–11:16 p.m. to an unknown trouble call near 7th Street and Jefferson Street, just east of Chase Field. Fire personnel rendered aid and transported Nephew to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead that same night.

Homicide detectives with the Phoenix Police Department took over the investigation. The scene on or near the 7th Street bridge was processed for evidence, and detectives canvassed the busy downtown corridor for witnesses and surveillance footage to establish what led to the violent encounter. Police publicly asked anyone who was in the area around the time of the shooting to call the Silent Witness tip lines 480-WITNESS or 480-TESTIGO with information.

Early news reports said no suspects had been identified and no description of a shooter or vehicle was released. There is no public confirmation of arrests or charges, and the motive and circumstances remain unresolved. If anyone saw or heard anything near 7th Street and Jefferson around 11:15 p.m. on September 29, 2023, please share what is known with investigators.