Late Saturday night turned into chaos in downtown Phoenix as gunfire erupted near the lively night-club stretch along 1st and Washington streets, leaving four people wounded and the community stunned. Early Sunday morning just before 2:30 a.m., Phoenix police were called to the scene of a shooting that would leave one man critically wounded and three women injured, all rushed to nearby hospitals.
Investigators say the violence began after a heated argument among people out for the evening. In that moment of anger, 22-year-old Keon Joubert allegedly pulled out a firearm and fired into the crowd. Officers on patrol and those quickly responding to the call found multiple victims with gunshot wounds scattered along the sidewalk.
The scene was grim: yellow police tape cordoning off blocks, caution signs standing amid stunned bystanders and flashing patrol cars lining the street. Witnesses said the sudden bursts of gunfire sent people fleeing for cover in nearby doorways and alleyways. Some described hearing rapid pops and feeling the shock ripple through the crowd before officers swarmed in.
By Monday, Phoenix police detectives had worked through the night to identify a suspect. Keon Joubert, 22, was located and taken into custody without further incident. He was booked on multiple felony charges, including aggravated assault. Authorities do not believe there are additional suspects in the case, and they urged anyone who witnessed the shooting to share information with Silent Witness.
Officials have been careful to stress that downtown Phoenix remains a safe place for residents and visitors. A police spokesperson noted that the argument could have occurred anywhere and that this isolated act of violence should not define the broader community. Still, for those who were there that night, the memory of a fun evening turning frightening will stay with them.
What makes this case particularly troubling to prosecutors is Joubert’s past. At the time of his arrest, he was already on probation for a prior gun charge, and prosecutors are reviewing another older armed robbery case from 2022. Because of this, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office says he’s being held without bond, and further legal proceedings are expected in the coming year.
For the victims, the road to recovery is just beginning. One man remains in life-threatening condition following surgery, while the three women are expected to recover from their non-life-threatening injuries. Friends, family and strangers alike in Phoenix have offered prayers and support as the city grapples with another senseless act of violence just days before the new year.
If you or someone you know were near 1st and Washington streets that night and saw what happened, police ask you to come forward — any detail could help bring clarity to this frightening chapter in Phoenix’s recent history.
