Suspect in Deadly Tempe Marketplace Shooting Formally Indicted on Murder Charges

The man accused of fatally shooting a 19-year-old during a robbery that began as an online transaction at Tempe Marketplace has been formally indicted by a grand jury. The tragedy, which stunned the local community just weeks before the holidays, has led to significant charges against the suspect.

The Charges Revealed

Authorities confirmed that 20-year-old Fernando Gallegos is facing charges of **first-degree murder** and **armed robbery with a deadly weapon**. These formal charges follow Gallegos’s initial arrest and court appearance where a judge set his cash-only bail at $1.2 million. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office will now move forward with the prosecution, seeking to hold the suspect accountable for the young victim’s death.

An Online Deal Turns Deadly

The shooting took place in the parking lot of the popular Tempe shopping center on the morning of December 1, [Current Year – 2]. According to Tempe Police, the incident was the result of a planned meet-up stemming from an online transaction. The victim, 19-year-old Dominic Baysinger, and his girlfriend arrived at the location to complete a private sale, which was reportedly for a Glock handgun.

However, investigators allege the meeting was never meant to be a legitimate sale. Prosecutors stated in initial court hearings that Gallegos had planned to rob Baysinger. During the confrontation, shots were fired, and Baysinger was critically injured. He was later pronounced dead at the scene. His girlfriend, who was with him at the time, was thankfully unharmed.

Remembering Dominic Baysinger

Dominic Baysinger was described by family and friends as a bright and kind young man whose life was cut tragically short. Tributes online remember him as a “sweet and kind friend” who was “well-mannered, respectful and funny.” One friend specifically recalled him being the “best big brother” to his little sister.

The sudden and heartbreaking loss devastated those who knew him. A community fundraiser was quickly organized to help his family with the unexpected funeral and memorial costs. The description on the fundraiser emphasized that Dominic was “more than a name in the news: he was someone’s child, someone’s friend, full of life, hopes, and dreams.”

A Public Safety Reminder

The tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the risks involved in conducting online sales in person. Following the incident, Tempe police officials urged the public to exercise extreme caution with high-value transactions, even when meeting in public, daytime locations like a busy shopping center. They continue to recommend that for any such exchange, citizens use the secure, monitored “safe exchange zones” that are often located in the parking lots of local police stations.

The investigation is ongoing, and while one suspect is in custody and formally indicted, police have indicated they are still looking into the possibility of other individuals having been involved. Gallegos is scheduled to appear in court again as the prosecution builds its case on the serious charges of first-degree murder and armed robbery.