Tucson police arrested Ryan Romero-Encinas, 20, on a first-degree murder charge Wednesday in connection with the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Minhaj Jamshidi near the University of Arizona volleyball courts late Sunday night. According to Police Chief Chris Olson, the shooting followed multiple small fights among a group playing sand volleyball near the Arizona-Sonora dormitory.
The shooting occurred late Sunday night around 11 p.m. at the University of Arizona’s sand volleyball courts near the Arizona-Sonora Residence Hall, located at the southwest corner of the campus near Park Avenue and 4th Street. According to Tucson Police Chief Chris Olson, the deadly incident followed multiple small fights among a group playing volleyball in the area. Witnesses reported that the victim, identified as 19-year-old Minhaj Jamshidi, was found shot next to a car in the parking lot adjacent to the courts.
Despite life-saving efforts by responding officers and medical personnel, Jamshidi died at the scene.
Jamshidi was a student at Pima Community College’s Downtown Campus, studying Building and Construction Technology, according to college officials. Originally from Afghanistan, his family relocated to Tucson in 2021. Pima Community College Chancellor Jeffrey P. Nasse issued a statement emphasizing the institution’s commitment to safety, saying, “Nothing is more important than the safety of our students, faculty, staff and campus community.”
The suspect, 20-year-old Ryan Romero-Encinas of Tucson, turned himself in at his apartment Wednesday following a police investigation. Olson confirmed that Romero-Encinas was not a University of Arizona student but was known to regularly play volleyball at the campus courts. After receiving multiple calls identifying Romero-Encinas as the suspect, police served two search warrants at his residence Tuesday before his surrender. He was arrested on a first-degree murder charge and is being held without bond.
Police described Romero-Encinas as a heavy-set male between 19 and 25 years old, with collar-length curly hair and a beard, wearing a white shirt and tan shorts at the time of the incident. He was last seen fleeing the scene with a handgun, according to the University of Arizona Police Department (UAPD). The UAPD and Tucson Police worked jointly on the homicide investigation, with UAPD deploying additional officers on and around the campus to enhance safety in the days following the shooting.
The victim and suspect’s prior relationship remains unclear, with Chief Olson noting no evidence of any previous connection between Jamshidi and Romero-Encinas. The incident appears to have stemmed from altercations during the volleyball games rather than being a random attack or part of any ongoing threat to the campus community. Following the shooting, the University of Arizona Police issued an all-clear alert at 1 a.m. Monday and increased patrols in the area.
The volleyball courts near the Arizona-Sonora dormitory are a popular spot for students to gather, often remaining busy late into the night. The shooting location is close to student housing and the Global Center, a hub for student activities. Witnesses told police they moved the victim to a nearby car before emergency responders arrived. The UAPD confirmed that the shooter was last seen fleeing on foot with a handgun.
University officials and law enforcement continue to monitor the situation, emphasizing that the incident was isolated with no continuing threat to the campus or surrounding community. The investigation remains active as authorities process evidence collected from the scene and the suspect’s residence. Romero-Encinas is scheduled to appear in court on charges related to the fatal shooting, and police are urging anyone with additional information to come forward.
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