Tempe police identify suspect in fatal police-involved shooting

TEMPE, Arizona. – An armed man was shot and killed by Tempe police officers Thursday afternoon, the police department said.

The September 12 shooting occurred around 12:30 p.m. near Baseline Road and Priest Drive.

“Officers received a 911 call from a victim regarding a disturbing subject. At that time, officers responded and made contact with the victim. It was learned that the suspect had also pointed a weapon at the victim. The victim identified the suspect and officers made contact with him at his residence,” said Officer Jessica Ells of the Tempe Police Department.

The suspect reportedly did not leave the apartment and only spoke to officers through a window. Officers eventually retreated to a safer distance to continue the conversation with the suspect.

The suspect left his apartment but went back inside. He came out again, but this time he allegedly had a gun with him and pointed it at the officers.

“At this point, a police-involved shooting occurred,” Ells says. “Two officers fired their service weapons and the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.”

On September 13, Tempe police identified the suspect as 44-year-old Jake R. Carruth. None of the officers were injured.

The East Valley Critical Response Team is investigating the shooting, and Tempe Police are referring any further investigation to Mesa Police.

“It hits me hard”

“Two SWAT trucks pulled up. We heard a couple of gunshots and it didn't look too chaotic, but it seems more chaotic that they stayed close by and the police force came out,” said a witness named Dedtrick. “It didn't sound like real gunshots. It sounded like maybe a rubber bullet gun or tear gas. They're saying it could have been a victim, so it could have been the real gunshots we heard.”

The last time Tempe police were called to the suspect's apartment to check on his welfare was on September 5.

“It affects you a lot. Tempe is generally a good neighborhood, you know. The whole city, by and large. It's active in a fun way, a college town. But you don't hear so much about crimes like this, shootings and everything,” Dedtrick said.

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