Zachary Joseph Thomas Naifeh, 24.

A 24-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the killing this month of two people on the city's south side, police say.

Zachary Joseph Thomas Naifeh, 24, was arrested Friday on suspicion of first-degree murder in the killing of Celina R. Garcia, 39, and Rashad Laron Smith, 44.

The pair was found shot to death in the street about 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 23, in the 7100 block of South 12th Avenue, near Los Reales Road, Tucson police said.

Two days after the shooting, police found a dark colored Jeep in the 3600 block of East Grant Road that looked like the vehicle witnesses said drove off after the shooting.

Police eventually identified Naifeh, who was known to the shooting victims, as the driver and shooter, according to a police news release.

Naifeh was jailed on suspicion of two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of being a prohibited possessor, police said.


Become a #ThisIsTucson member! Your contribution helps our team bring you stories that keep you connected to the community. Become a member today.