SAN TAN VALLEY, AZ – In a tragic turn of events, a verbal spat resulted in the fatal shooting of a teenager in San Tan Valley last month. The alleged perpetrator, 17-year-old Anthony Jason Garcia, will be tried as an adult for the murder of Jamiere Jenkins. The announcement came from the Pinal County Attorney’s Office on Friday.
The incident occurred in a park near Parisi Place and Pollino Street on November 28. Jenkins was gunned down and later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. According to court documents, an Amazon delivery driver reported a blue Dodge Charger fleeing the scene after the gunshots.
Not long after, detectives discovered Garcia in a Nissan Maxima with his brother in a nearby neighborhood. Although Garcia’s brother was initially reluctant to provide information to the authorities, he was later released. During the investigation, law enforcement found a disassembled handgun, a black sweater, and a pair of black shoes concealed in an alleyway.
Court paperwork reveals that two other boys were in the car when Garcia allegedly shot Jenkins. As per one boy’s account, an argument erupted between Garcia and Jenkins. As they were driving away, shots were fired from the vehicle that hit Jenkins in the neck. The witness mentioned a history of “altercations” between the two teenagers. Another witness confirmed Garcia’s identity as the shooter to the Pinal County deputies.
Although Garcia initially refused to speak to the deputies without an attorney present, he was detained and booked into the Pinal County Youth Justice Center for first-degree murder. Even though Garcia is underage, his case will be processed in adult court.
Pinal County Sheriff Lamb described the incident as tragic and cowardly, leaving multiple families, including one bereaved of a child, with lives in ruin. Slain teenager Jenkins was a junior and a football player at Combs High School.