A 22-year-old man is facing a $1 million bond after a shooting in downtown Phoenix that injured four people, one critically, according to FOX 10 Phoenix. The incident occurred early Sunday morning at 1st and Washington streets. Authorities have charged Keon Joubert with four felony counts of aggravated assault and a probation violation.
Prosecutors allege that the shooting began after Joubert attempted to converse with a group of women outside a nightclub. Joubert has claimed to have acted in self-defense, however, prosecutors counter this claim, citing surveillance footage and witness statements which identify him as the shooter, as per information from Yahoo News. The gunfire resulted in three women and one man being hospitalized, with the man suffering a head wound that could prove to be fatal.
The case took a more severe turn during the court hearing, where it was disclosed that Joubert is currently on probation for a previous firearm discharge within city limits. Additionally, there's an unresolved 2022 armed robbery charge involving Joubert, which the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is reviewing. "The state is asking your honor to find the defendant non-bondable," explained one prosecutor, emphasizing the seriousness of the new charges and Joubert's criminal past, as noted by FOX 10 Phoenix.
Joubert was markedly absent from his court hearing, which the judge justified by labeling him a danger to society. This decision comes amidst a complex backdrop of gun violence issues plaguing the city. As the community grapples with the fallout, the gravity of the charges and the suspect's history weigh heavily in considerations surrounding his release. With a bond set to such a steep amount, the courts appear to unhesitatingly signal their concern for public safety over Joubert's immediate freedom.
