PHOENIX - Monday morning just after 5 a.m., Hezron Parks appeared in front of a judge. He is charged with second degree murder in connection with the shooting death of an off-duty Tempe Fire captain.
The 21-year-old suspect turned himself in after an intense manhunt.
Capt. Kyle Brayer was in Old Town Scottsdale on the back of a golf cart on Sunday at 2:30 a.m. when a vehicle was being aggressive behind the cart. Brayer approached the vehicle and that’s when he was shot in the head by the driver. He was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The suspect fled the scene, but later called 911 to turn himself in.
According to court paperwork, Parks said Brayer and a friend were yelling unknown things at him from the back of the golf cart while he was driving behind it the night of the shooting. He said Brayer kicked his car then approached him with his hands up in the air. Parks said he felt threatened and reached for his gun, eventually firing it, when Brayer put his hands down and moved forward toward him.
Parks said he didn't know there was a round in the gun's chamber because he didn't normally keep one there, according to the documents. Parks admitted to driving away from the scene and damaging other vehicles on the way.
Parks was given a $300,000 cash-only bond, a requested amount by the state due to Parks alleged ties outside the country. If he makes bond he will be on pretrial supervision under electronic monitoring.
Tempe Fire Chief Greg Ruiz and Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell spoke about Capt. Brayer Monday morning.
A preliminary hearing is set for Feb. 14 for Parks.
