SAN JOSE — A Washington man who visited San Jose for the Super Bowl last month was arrested in his home state March 11 on suspicion of shooting six victims downtown after the big game, authorities said.
Tyrone Asphy, a 46-year-old resident of Federal Way, Washington, is being held in King County Jail awaiting an extradition hearing to bring him back to Santa Clara County to face charges, according to a news release from the San Jose Police Department.
“On a day that should have been a celebration, a dangerous suspect from out of state chose to bring violence into downtown San José and attempted to take multiple lives,” SJPD Chief of Police Paul Joseph said in a press release. “He fled back to his home state, but fleeing will not put distance between him and the consequences of his actions. Anyone who commits violence in this city should know that the San José Police Department is committed to protecting our community and will relentlessly pursue those responsible until they are held accountable.”
Shortly before 11 p.m. on Feb. 8, just hours after the conclusion of Super Bowl 60 festivities in nearby Santa Clara, police responded to reports of a shooting at Santa Clara Street and Market Street, authorities said. Initial investigations found that there had been an altercation of two separate groups.
The suspect used a firearm to shoot six victims, all adults, authorities said. All sustained non-life threatening injuries. Four were taken to the hospital, one self-transported to the hospital and one was treated at the scene.
The suspect fled the scene before police arrived, authorities said.
The investigation, conducted by SJPD’s Gang Investigations Unit in conjunction with the Real Time Intelligence Center, was able to identify the vehicle in which the suspect fled the scene. Eventually, detectives identified Asphy as the suspect and obtained arrest and search warrants, authorities said.
Investigators worked with the FBI in San Francisco and Seattle to confirm Asphy’s location; he was then arrested on suspicion of attempted murder a month after the original shooting. While executing a search warrant at his home, investigators found the firearm Asphy used in the alleged crime, authorities said.
“We welcomed nearly half a million people into downtown over Super Bowl week. One of those visitors thought he could endanger lives and run from the consequences — he was wrong,” San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan said in a statement. “Our detectives followed the evidence across state lines and brought him into custody. If anyone comes here to threaten our community, they should expect the same result.”
The investigation by SJPD was also assisted by the Federal Way Police Department, the Washington Regional Valley SWAT Team, the King County District Attorney’s Office and the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.
Anyone with further information on the incident is asked to contact Detective Garcia #5026 or Detective Minkel #5003 at 5026@sanjoseca.gov, 5003@sanjoseca.gov or 408-277-3835.