TEMPE, Ariz. — The man who was shot to death by Tempe police officers last week was allegedly wanted in connection to two assaults that appeared to be "racially motivated," police said Tuesday.
Jason Fox, 27, died during a confrontation with Tempe police on Oct. 1 that ended in Fox getting fatally shot.
On Oct. 8, Tempe police released new details about why investigators were looking for Fox before he was killed.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Un sospechoso fue asesinado a balazos por la policía de Tempe al relacionarlo con un tiroteo en Tempe Beach Park
The man was considered a suspect in two separate incidents that allegedly targeted people of color, police said.
The first incident occurred just before midnight on Sept. 30 on Mill Avenue when the suspect allegedly shouted racial slurs at a couple and brandished a weapon. About 20 minutes later, the suspect allegedly confronted a group of people at Tempe Beach Park and said racial slurs.
The suspect then shot a man in the face and ran away, Tempe police said.
Investigators had established probable cause that identified Fox as the suspect. When police attempted to take Fox into custody for the incidents, the suspect allegedly fired a shot at a detective and police returned fire.
Anyone with more information about these incidents are encouraged to contact Tempe PD at 480-350-8311.
UP TO SPEED
What is the Valley?:
“The Valley” is what locals call the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. It is considered the largest metropolitan area in the Southwest.
The Valley is made up of various major cities other than Phoenix, including:
- Mesa
- Chandler
- Scottsdale
- Tempe
- Glendale
- Surprise
- Peoria
- Gilbert
- El Mirage
- Avondale
- Litchfield Park
- Goodyear
- Buckeye
Whether a city is in the “East Valley” or “West Valley” depends on where it is in relation to Phoenix.
The cities of the Valley have a combined population of 4,845,832 people, according to the 2020 United States Census. This makes it the 11th largest metropolitan area in the country right behind the Boston and Atlanta areas.
How big is Maricopa County?
Maricopa County is the United States’ 4th largest county in terms of population with 4,485,414 people, according to the 2020 Census.
The county contains around 63% of Arizona’s population and is 9,224 square miles. That makes the county larger than seven U.S. states (Rhode Island, Delaware, Connecticut, Hawaii, New Jersey, Massachusetts and New Hampshire).
One of the largest park systems in the nation is also located in Maricopa County. The county has an estimated 120,000 acres of open space parks that includes hundreds of miles of trails, nature centers and campgrounds.
The county’s seat is located in Phoenix, which is also the state capital and the census-designated 5th most populous city in the United States.
The county was named after the Maricopa, or Piipaash, Native American Tribe.