A man is in police custody following a fatal shooting at a CVS store in Mesa, Arizona. The incident occurred on Thursday night, resulting in the death of the store manager, Michael Jacobs, 49. The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Jared Sevey, had reportedly been involved in a dispute with Jacobs earlier in the day over accusations of shoplifting, according to court documents.
The Mesa Police Department responded to a shooting report at the CVS store located at the intersection of Brown Road and Mesa Drive around 8:10 p.m. Upon arrival, officers discovered Jacobs inside the store with multiple gunshot injuries. Despite being rushed to a hospital, Jacobs was pronounced dead.
The police were able to locate the suspect thanks to a caller who provided a description and indicated the direction the suspect had taken. Detectives from Mesa’s Real Time Crime Center reviewed surveillance footage and spotted a man matching the suspect’s description near the pharmacy.
Officers located the man at the northeast corner of Brown Road and Mesa Drive. They witnessed him discarding a firearm into a nearby canal, which was later retrieved. Sevey was apprehended and reportedly confessed to the shooting.
According to the arrest report, Sevey claimed that during the earlier altercation, Jacobs had attempted to hit him but missed. Sevey allegedly stated that this incident was the final provocation, and he had previously decided that the next person who tried to harm him would “feel like he feels.”
Court records reveal that Sevey had visited the store around 4:30 p.m. on the day of the shooting and was accused of shoplifting. The store chose not to press charges at that time. Sevey is said to have left the store, retrieved a firearm, and returned several hours later. He requested to see the manager and instructed an employee to evacuate the store. Surveillance footage showed Sevey drawing a pistol from his waistband and shooting Jacobs multiple times.
Sevey has been charged with first-degree murder, illegal possession of a weapon, and tampering with evidence. The CVS store where the incident occurred will remain closed until further notice.