'Justice for Jaime': $4,000 reward offered after man was shot, killed in Mesa
MESA, Ariz. - Several months later, an East Valley murder remains a mystery and few, if any good leads have come in. Now a family is hoping a little more money and a handful of hope will help them find who killed a 24-year-old man.
"I’m his voice right now. And I need justice for my son," said Tina Fernandez, Jaime Fernandez's mother.
The Fernandez family was getting ready to watch a Suns playoff game near 88th Street and University Drive in Mesa when Jaime was shot on July 17, 2021 at around 10 p.m. He was walking into his parents' home at the time.
They say he opened the door, said "I've been shot," and fell to the ground. He'd been hit in the heart and died in the home he grew up in.
"He's a good guy, a really good guy. Well-mannered. Very respectful. We cannot understand why anybody would not like him," said Jaime Fernandez, Sr.
The area is on a county island, so the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office is handling the investigation.
"At one point, I thought he was going to make it," said Tina. "They asked me what hospital I wanted him to go to, they were hooking him up to saline, and just a few minutes later, they told me he died."
Jaime's pictures lined the fence of the home, along with requests for anyone with information to come forward.
Since the shooting, no suspects have been identified.
"He would give you the shoes off his feet and run around this hot asphalt, so you could have shoes. He was good to everyone. He loved his brothers very much. Please help me find who did this, so I could have justice for Jaime," said Tina.
"There was no leads, no tips.. no one's talking."
The family says there's no pain like having to bury your child and the Fernandezes know that first hand.
"And I don't want any other mother to feel what I feel. It's a pain that's indescribable. And I'm my son's voice now," said Tina. "Nothing will ever bring him back. But I would like to know who and why.. what did my son do that you felt he deserved to die?"
The suspect vehicle that was seen leaving the area after the shooting is described by police as a possible silver Honda Civic or a Chevrolet Impala.
If you have any information about this case, call Silent Witness. You can remain anonymous and receive a cash award for tips leading to an arrest or indictment.
TIP LINE: (480) WITNESS
Spanish speakers can leave an anonymous tip by calling Testigo Silencioso at 480-TESTIGO.
Si tiene alguna información sobre este caso, llame a la línea de Testigo Silencioso (480-TESTIGO, 480-837-8446).
Silent Witness: https://www.silentwitness.org
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