PHOENIX — Phoenix police say two people are in custody in connection with the murder of a pregnant teen in early July.
Officials say 16-year-old Zariah Dodd was found unresponsive at a Phoenix park after reports of a shooting near 55th Avenue and Osborn Road just before 6 a.m. on July 5.
Dodd was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police say Dodd was about 22 weeks pregnant at the time she was shot and killed, and her unborn daughter was also killed.
Police have announced that 18-year-old Jechri James-Gillett and 36-year-old Jurrell Davis were taken into custody in connection with the deadly shooting.
Officials have determined that Davis was the father of Dodd’s unborn child.
"Two monsters got together and decided that, you know, for whatever reason, they chose to do this, they planned this murder out and carried it out, and it's just, it's tragic all around,” said Rob Scherer with Phoenix police.
Both suspects were booked into jail on murder charges, and Davis also faces a charge of sexual misconduct with a minor.
"Allegations suggest that the victim was 15 years old at the time she conceived her unborn child. The suspect is allegedly 36 years old… that is absolutely concerning,” Ashley Stetson with the Maricopa County Attorney's Office said.
Friday night, both suspects appeared in front of a judge, where it was stated, both suspects are held on a $1 million cash bond.
The investigation is ongoing.
