An early-morning visit to a friend’s house in central Phoenix ended in fatal violence for 18-year-old Jesus Alexander Reyes-Morales. On February 21, 2023, Phoenix police responded shortly before 1:00 a.m. to a disturbance near 27th Avenue and Melvin Street and found Reyes-Morales inside the residence suffering from gunshot wounds; fire department personnel attempted lifesaving efforts but he was pronounced dead.

According to the investigation, Reyes-Morales had been at the home with a female friend when her former boyfriend arrived. An interaction between those present escalated and Reyes-Morales was shot; the suspect fled before officers arrived. Detectives later identified and located a 29-year-old suspect, Jose Olegario Gomez Herrera, who was taken in for interview and arrested and booked on multiple charges, including first-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence.

If anyone has information about what happened at the residence that night or knew Reyes-Morales or the people involved, please share what you know with investigators.