The Tucson Police Department is actively investigating a homicide that occurred early this morning in the 5700 block of E. 28th St., The juvenile victim from this morning’s homicide has been identified as 15-year-old Johnathon Schmedding. Next of kin have been notified.
Just before 2:00 a.m., officers were patrolling in the area of 28th and Sahuara when they heard the sounds of gunshots. As officers circulated the area to determine the origin of what was heard, they were advised of a shooting incident being reported in the area. Officers responded to the incident location and upon arrival they located a juvenile teenage male, lying in the roadway with obvious signs of gunshot trauma. Tucson Fire responded to assist, however the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Detectives continued their investigation into this homicide and were able to determine that in the early hours of August 28, 2016 Julian Schmedding, Johnathon Schmedding, Roy Lee Brown, and Jesse King attempted to rob four individuals walking down the street in a nearby residential neighborhood near 28th Street and Van Buren. Johnathon, Roy and Jesse ran towards the individuals as Roy pulled out a handgun. Roy fired several rounds at the four individuals, who ran away from them. Johnathon was struck and killed by one of the rounds. Afterward, Julian and Jesse attempted to dispose of the weapon and return to the scene with Roy. Prior to returning to the scene, officers made contact with and detained Julian, Roy, and Jesse. Detectives were able to locate the handgun along with multiple pieces of evidence that were going to be used in the commission of robberies.
25-year-old Roy Lee Brown and 19-year-old Julian Schmedding were booked into the Pima County Jail on charges of First Degree Murder four counts of Attempted Armed Robbery, four counts of Aggravated Robbery, Tampering with Evidence and Prohibited Possessor.
21-year-old Jesse King was booked into the Pima County Jail on charges of First Degree Murder four counts of Attempted Armed Robbery, four counts of Aggravated Robbery, and Tampering with Evidence.
The investigation is in the early stages and additional information will be released as it becomes available. The detectives are asking anyone who might have witnessed the incident or anyone with information to please call 911 or 88-CRIME