On Friday, Dec. 15, the Pinal County Attorney’s Office (PCAO) announced that Anthony Jason Garcia, 17, has been indicted for the murder of Jamiere Jenkins, 17, a junior at Combs High School in San Tan Valley.
According to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, the shooting occurred in a San Tan Valley neighborhood park just after 5 p.m. Nov. 28 on Cambria Drive, near Ironwood and Ocotillo roads, after an argument between Jenkins and Garcia, who took out a gun and shot Jenkins in the neck. Jenkins was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died. Read more here and here.
The Office of Pinal County Attorney Kent Volkmer made the announcement Friday after a grand jury indictment against Garcia, which stated: Upon reviewing all of the evidence and relevant facts, PCAO convened a grand jury, which returned an indictment against the following defendant, Anthony Jason Garcia (17) (ARS 13-1104A2) Second Degree Murder. This case is taking place in adult court under CR 202302662. As this is now a pending case, PCAO does not have any further comment at this time. As a reminder, a charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
"We have seen far too many young lives impacted and cut short due to youth violence," said Volkmer in the official PCAO statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with those impacted, and it is my sincere hope that our youth begin to appreciate and recognize the inherent value in every human life."
