TEMPE

Tempe police ID suspect in shooting of Mesa High School math teacher

Police identify man wanted in connection with slaying

Kaila White
The Republic | azcentral.com
Police have named Caleb Bartels, 27, a suspect in the slaying of a Mesa schoolteacher.

A man who was shot and killed in his Tempe backyard early Sunday morning has been identified as Ryne Zahner, a 26-year-old math teacher at Mesa High School.

Tempe police said officers heard shots fired about 4 a.m. northeast of Mill Avenue and Baseline Road and soon found Zahner dead of gunshot wounds. People in his home when he was shot said the shooter ran away.

Tempe police late Monday identified Caleb Bartels, 27, as a suspect in Zahner's death. Police described Bartels as 165 pounds and 5 feet 10 inches tall, with brown hair and green eyes. He was believed to be driving a 2007 silver Pontiac Grand Prix, license plate number BSK8972.

He is considered armed and dangerous, according to police.

Police ask anyone who sees Bartels or knows of his whereabouts to contact them immediately, but do not approach. Call 480-350-8311, submit an online tip at www.tempe.gov/police using the “submit a tip” button, or call Silent Witness 480-948-6377.

A respected math teacher

Ryne Zahner was killed in his backyard in Tempe on Jan. 15, 2017.

Zahner's death was mourned by his students and coworkers on Monday.

"Ryne Zahner was a respected math teacher at Mesa High School and a graduate of Skyline High School. The Zahner family is part of the Mesa Public Schools community and we send our thoughts and condolences to them during this difficult time," Mesa Public Schools spokeswoman Helen Hollands said.

The district will have additional counselors at Mesa High School on Tuesday to provide support for students and staff. There is a GoFundMe for Zahner's family.

Zahner was born in Peoria, Ill., moved to Arizona in 1999 and graduated from Arizona State University and, most recently, from Northern Arizona University with a master's degree in educational leadership, according to his biography on the Mesa High website.

"I believe that each and every student has the potential to learn and accomplish their goals in life as long as the effort is put forward. I intend on putting just as much effort forward in order to help my students succeed in whatever their future holds," he wrote.

Students and colleagues posted photos and memories of a Mr. Zahner, who they described as goofy, funny, genuine and helpful. Some shared a video of him running in and winning a track race or another video of him dancing in a Mesa High faculty dance last year.

A memorial outside the Tempe house where Ryne Zahner, 26, was killed on Jan. 15, 2017.

Republic reporters Brianna Bradley and Meghan Finnerty contributed to this report.