Latest southern Colorado news, weather and sports from FOX21 News

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Colorado Springs Police officers have arrested a man for murder in connection with Thursday evening's shooting in the city.

Officers took 23-year-old Colorado Springs resident Erik Camacho into custody Friday morning. He is being charged with first degree murder.

Officers have not released the victim's name yet but said they found a man dead in the parking lot of Water Works Car Wash near Academy Boulevard and Galley Road around 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

A neighbor said he heard eight gunshots, but officers have not confirmed how many shots were fired.

They did confirm the death was a homicide, the fourth in the city in 2012.

"I was outside walking my dogs, me and my fiancé here, and I heard eight shots go off," James Denekas, a nearby resident said.

Those who live in the area said it's a relief to know someone is in custody but still think it is scary.

"I don't feel safe, because I have an 18-month-old, and what say it happens again and I'm out walking around," Kimberly McAlister, another nearby resident, said.

Officers said there is no threat to the nearby community.

"Our investigators feel confident that the person who is alleged to have shot the victim is in custody," Barbara Miller, CSPD Public Information Officer, said.

Still some are concerned about another issue. One neighbor said she tried calling 911 several times Thursday night and got no answer.

Officers said they didn't have any technical difficulties at their communication center, there were just too many phone calls.

"When you have a high volume of calls in a short period of time, like in a matter of seconds like we experienced last night, it is difficult to get to all of those calls right away," Miller said.

Miller added that in situations like a shooting, operators must also stay on the phone longer.

"It's really important for us to stay on the phone with that caller to get as much information as we can for the officers. 'Are we looking for a certain suspect? Is there a vehicle we need to be searching for? Is anyone hurt? Where do we need to send an ambulance to?'" Miller said.

Miller said if a caller hangs up someone will call them back, usually in a matter of minutes. Still she said the best thing to do is stay on the line.

"Stay on the line, even if it keeps ringing because if you were to hang up it just sets you all the way back and you have to start the process all over again," she said. "Please stay on the line, do not become frustrated, we want to answer your calls and we need that information."

Officers also confirmed that the suspect's mother is an employee in the CSPD's records and identification department.

They said they have taken precautions to make sure she is not able to access any of the records pertaining to her son's case.

"They just have to protect the integrity of this case and so we just wanted to ensure that nothing on our side has been done in error," Miller said.

Miller also added that the employee has been very cooperative.