Associated Press
PHOENIX — A 13-year-old boy who got up early for a run and never returned home was found shot dead in what appears to be a random killing, police said Monday.
Jonathan Garcia-Valladares left for a run from his home in east Phoenix around 7:30 a.m. Sunday. About 15 minutes later, police got a call about gunshots and a boy lying wounded in the street, said Phoenix police Sgt. Trent Crump.
When firefighters arrived, Jonathan was dead.
Police have no suspects, and Crump said Jonathan was a good kid who wasn’t involved in anything illegal.
He said the killing is a “big concern” for its apparent randomness, Jonathan’s age, and the fact that he was simply out running in daylight to get in better shape.
“Certainly when you have a 13-year-old that is shot to death on a morning jog, it needs to alarm us all,” Crump said. “And part of the seriousness of this and certainly the motive for all of us to get it solved, is we want our kids safe when they’re out playing, when they’re out running. We all have to be concerned about this.”
Crump said police are increasing patrols in the area.
He said the teen’s family has declined to speak to the media.
A small memorial of flowers, stuffed animals and candles was put up near where Jonathan was shot.