Category: Homicide

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Multiple Types of Murder Cases

Phoenix Domestic Abuse

Murder Crimes Near Phoenix

 

There are of course several types of murder. The most disturbing and unfathomable, in my opinion anyways, is Familicide. What is Familcide? It’s a term used when there is a multiple victim homicide where the killer’s spouse and children are killed.

 

Definition from Wikipedia

A familicide is a type of murder or murder-suicide in which at least one spouse and one or more children are killed,[1] or in which a parent or parents and possibly other relatives such as siblings and grandparents are killed.[2] In some cases all of the family members’ lives are taken. If only the parents are killed, the case may also be referred to as a parricide. Where all members of a family are killed, including when the killing takes the form of a murder-suicide, the crime may be referred to as family annihilation.

 

The cases I’ll be writing about today are similar but different. This first case is a lot like a familicide case.  The police have been able to identify the man who had been accused of decapitating a woman and two dogs. The man identified was identified as, Kenneth Wakefield.

 

The Phoenix Police Department are always helpful to the media. They have said that Wakefield was actually released from the hospital on Saturday afternoon. However, she was booked for a one count of 1st degree murder as well as two counts of animal cruelty. She was being held on a TWO million dollar bond money.

The believe that the suspect is known to have some physics and mental issues.  The two doggies were sadly found dead in the home.

 

On July 25th, the police had found the horrible crime scene. Which was located near 13th Place and Colter Street. They were able to easily locate the scene after a neighbor had went to check on the suspect and the victim. The neighbor knew that the suspect had mental issues.

 

The neighbor was quite shocked when, according to them, when the suspect, Wakefield had answered the door and the neighbor said that he was naked and also had a portion of his arm was cut off. Wakefield was a scary sight with his missing arm,and  missing right eye that was gouged out.

 

Wakefield didn’t try to deny what had happened. He admitted to the police officers that he had killed three of his own family members which were inside of the house.

 

Sadly, when Heisch was found she was decapitated as well as the dogs and in a closet. I feel so sorry for the victims and the police that found them I can’t imagine what a horrific scene that would have been.

 

The suspect was taken to the local hospital and had to undergo surgeries for his injuries. He was later released to the police after he was all fixed up.

 

Spouse Abuse or Murder?

 

Everyone has fights once and a while. If you’re married and have been for a while, chances are you might feel like killing one another on those stressful days. Only some people actually attempt to act on those wishes.

 

A woman had to be submitted to the hospital after the police claimed that her husband had shot her inside of their Mesa Home.

 

The Mesa Police Department said that they responded to a call that came out, just after six o’clock in the evening. The call came from an upscale gated community of “Las Sendas”. Las Sendas is located near the McDowell and Power Roads.

 

 

Police are keeping quiet about this scene. They are releasing very little information about what happened. However, they have said that the couple’s two children were inside of the house at the time of the shooting. Those poor kids must have been scared to death! The police say that the couple’s children are a young girl and an adult son. Hopefully the adult son can shed some light on the situation.

 

The police also say that the woman who was shot, is now in the hospital. Hopefully she will make a full recovery. The husband of the victim has been taken in for questioning. However, he has not been formally charged at this time.

 

The Mesa Police Department are now on the case and are investigating the incident.

 

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Past Murder Case Being Re-Evaluated

Past Murder Case Being Re-Evaluated

2007 Bus Driver Murder Case

 

Crime scenes are often left as a mystery. Sadly there are some sick people in this world and they are very good at covering their tracks. Some cases go unsolved simply for the lack of evidence. There’s actually a ton of reasons that murder cases go “unsolved” or unresolved.

The San Diego Police Department (SDPD) have confirmed that a man who was/is suspected of killing an off-duty bus driver at a San Diego doughnut shop, eight years ago will now face charges in the cold case.

The SDPD investigators have said that forty year old, Santiago Covarrubias will be facing murder charges for the 2007 killing of thirty-eight year old, Damon Green. Covarrubias has already been serving time in the state prison for other, unrelated homicide. The police found the information linking Covarrubias to the cold case while Covarrubias was still in prison. According to the SDPD, Covarrubias is now in custody in the San Diego Central Jail and will appear in court on a Monday.

According to the reports, Covarrubias is actually the second person to be linked to this murder case this year. The case was strangely enough cold for more than eight years. I guess when the information comes, it comes all at once.

On July 28th of this year, San Diego resident, Martin Villapando was arrested by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agents at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. The thirty-six year old was arrested as he was legally entering into the United States. He was then jailed on first degree murder for the connection of Green’s killing.

The court reports show that Villapando pleaded not guilty at his arraignment. The judge set his bail at $2 million. Villapando has been in custody and at the South Bay Detention Facility for around four months. He is scheduled to appear in court on December 17.

 

Bus Driver Shoot and Killed

 

The investigators say that Green was found critically injured and was found behind the Donuts Plus shop. The shop is located at 4090 El Cajon Blvd. Green was found around 2:30 in the early morning on March 20, 2007. The reports say that the man had suffered from several gunshot wounds to his torso. Green was quickly taken to a local hospital where he sadly passed away an hour later.

The investigating detectives think that Green was with a friend and eating at the taco shop which is next door to the doughnut shop, when Green got into the argument with Villapando and Covarrubias. Villapando and Covarrubias were the first ones to leave the taco shop.

 

Crime in San Diego

 

However, the two sneaksters came back as Mr. Green and his friend were leaving the shop. They didn’t come alone though, they came armed with a gun. The suspects confronted, unarmed Green outside of the doughnut shop. They started shooting at Green. Green ran into the doughnut shop to try to seek cover, however according to the detectives, shots were fired and went through the plate glass window. The shot fired that time would be the one to fatally wound Mr.Green.

The suspects were of course, quick to leave the scene. They made their getaway before the officers could respond to the call. The suspects were last seen on the northbound 41st Street. After Villapando was arrested over the summer Deputy District Attorney Supervisor of the Cold Case Homicide Unit, Tom Manning said that the cold case detectives had been actively working on this case for years. They had even talked to Villapando before about Green’s murder.

 

Manning’s Statement about the Murder

 

The police have had continuous contact with witnesses, including Mr. Villapando over the years. He knew San Diego Police detectives were continuing on the case and were also looking at him over the last few years.

 

If Mr. Villapando is convicted of Green’s murder he will face up to fifty years to life in prison.

Sybil Green, mother of deceased victim, said that the news of a arrest for her son’s killers over the summer brought her a wave of emotions. Which I’m sure is understandable. She probably feels the pain of losing her son all over, but some relief that something is being done about his death. But then probably guilty over someone else losing their life. I can’t imagine what she’s going through.

Sybil said that the day her son was tragically killed, was the “day her heard died”. And even though it’s been a few years, her family will always mourn for the loss of her son.

 

Sybil’s Statment:

You murder one person, but you slaughter a family because our family has not been the same since.

The family of Green are currently living in Las Vegas. Sybil said that she has always refused to believe that the killer of her son would actually get away with it. She’s looking forward to finally getting some justice for her son. She always refers to Green as her “gentle giant”.

Green didn’t just leave his mother behind though, he is survived by two sons and a daughter.  All because of a little dispute in a taco shop. Hopefully his loving family can get some peace, knowing that Green’s death isn’t going to go unpunished.

We hope that the police are able to get the crime rates down in San Diego and Phoenix. If not, what is going to be left for the families in those cities?

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Phoenix Shootings

Multiple Teenagers Involved in Shooting Crime Scene

Hells Angels Affiliated Men Shot in Phoenix

 

“Hells Angels” have been known to be a pretty rough and rowdy motorcycle gang. Their name has been and probably still is, feared and loved throughout the United States. On Saturday two men who were affiliated with the “Hells Angels” motorcycle gang were shot as they were riding their motorcycles in North Phoenix.

 

Judy Jones’ Statement:

It’s just really gotten bad in this neighborhood lately.  It’s really, really crazy.

 

Judy just happened to work at a nearby restaurant, The Codfather restaurant. The restaurant is very close to where the police says that two bikers were shot near 16th Street and Bell Road.

 

Phoenix Police Officer, James Holmes’ Statement:

When the officers get there what they find is six motorcyclists.

 

Officer Holmes said that the bikers were travelling westbound on Bell Road when someone then opened fired at the motorcycle riders. Officer Holmes also says that bikers had to be in motion at the time that they were shot. They were not stopped at a light when the two men were shot.

 

The shooter did their job or what they intended to do, one of the men was in very serious condition and the other one was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. The one who was severely injured was transported to a local hospital and luckily expected to survive, according to officer Holmes.

 

The police know that the motorcycle riders aka bikers were not just any typical Saturday evening ride bikers. Officer Holmes said that all of the bikers had the “Hells Angels” insignia jackets as well as other things that indicated they were part of the “Hells Angels” club. Which causes concern for the investigators.

 

Judy also claimed to see “Hells Angels” bikers before in the area.

 

Judy’s Statement about the “Hells Angels”

I mean, you see, like on a Sunday morning, they’re riding down towards the 17.

 

Even though the police were taking a cautious investigation into the incident, they did not believe that the shooting was gang related.

 

Officer Holmes’ Statement about the Incident

 

At this point we’ve not made any kind of a connection between them being members of the club and this shooting.  Right now it’s either a random act of gunfire or they were targeted for a specific reason that we’ve not identified yet.

 

The police was also able to look at a surveillance video to hopefully find out if there was one or more shooters involved. Also if the person or possibly people responsible for the shooting had another vehicle or were maybe standing nearby the shooting scene.

 

Judy has decided to be more cautious in the future, saying “You just have to be careful, everything you do,”.

 

 

Another, More Recent Shooting in the Phoenix Area

 

In April, a shooting involving officers happened in Phoenix. One Saturday in April a shooting on 20th Street and Thomas Road ended badly for a suspect after a shooting involving the police officers.

 

According to Phoenix Police Sgt. Jonathan Howard, 911 dispatchers had received a call from a man and stated that there were several “snipers pointing rifles” at him. Of course several officers were sent to the scene. However, before they even had a chance to contact the man he had opened fire on the officers. According to the report, the man was sitting in a white van at the time of the shooting. Officers had no choice but to return fire on the man. They did not miss their target.

 

One officer had been reportedly shot in his arm. The officer was of course treated for his gunshot wound and later released from the hospital, Officer Howard stated.

 

Officer Howard did say that the suspect died at the hospital that Saturday night. Later the police was able to identify him as forty-four year old, Erik Lagunas Tellez. The officer who was injured during the shooting name has not been released at this time.

 

 

 

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Police Find Suspect in Deadly Armed Robbery

Shooting Suspects in Phoenix

Police Identify the Robbery Shooter and Victim

 

On Tuesday night things got deadly dangerous when a shooting happened in East Phoenix. The police have now been able to identify the victim in the shooting.  The Police officers say that the had to respond to a call about an armed robbery around eight o’clock in the evening at 52nd and Van Buren streets.

 

The police found a female victim when they got to the scene. The victim told the Phoenix Officers that she had been on her cell phone outside of her apartment building when the suspect pulled out a gun and then pointed it at her while demanding her money. The suspect was a twenty-one year old male. When she told the suspect that she did not have any money things got even scarier for the victim. The suspect then pointed a gun at her and demanded that she take off her clothes and he also tried to get her to go back into her apartment. However, according to the police, the young woman used her brain. She was able to stall by fumbling with the lock. That luckily gave her enough time to get into her apartment and she was then able to lock herself inside and away from him. She then immediately called the police.

 

Officers Arrive to Shots Being Fired at Robbery Scene

 

When the responding police officers came to the robbery scene they could hear gunshots being fired. They found a gunshot victim at the scene. The gunshot victim died at the scene, he was twenty-one year old Juan Guerava-Martinez. Eye witnesses told the investigators that Juan was on his cell phone outside when he was shot. Juan was able to make it back to his apartment and then sadly collapsed.

 

The witnesses say that they did see the male gun shooting suspect take off running northbound from the scene, he still had his gun at the time. Luckily the local authorities were able to bring him into custody not long after the shooting. He was caught as he was trying to run down an alley. The Police were able to positively identify the suspect as well as the weapon used in both cases. The male suspect told the officer that he had been on a methamphetamine binge and had been high/using meth for around five days then. Officers brought him in and he was charged and jailed on first-degree murder, aggravated assault, kidnapping, armed robbery, as well as possession of a dangerous drug.

 

Source: https://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix-metro/central-phoenix/pd-suspect-tried-to-rob-woman-fatally-shot-man

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Man Convicted for Phoenix Park Teenager Murder

Man Convicted for Phoenix Park Teenager Murder

Man Convicted For Murder of Teenager in Marivue Park

 

Parks are great places for families and children, most of the time anyways. Now days, you’re really not safe anywhere. You could be attacked in your own safe home. People are getting desperate and mean. A man has been convicted of killing a teenager in the West Phoenix Park, Marivue Park. The boy defended his younger sister from an armed robbery and he is now scheduled to be sentenced Friday for the murder conviction.

 

The man Vincent Quimayousie. He is to face life in prison for the first-degree murder conviction for the September 2012 death of  Andrew Murphy. Andrew was sixteen at the time. Andrew was defending his fourteen year old sister at the Marivue Park.

 

Vincent Quimayousie Convicted for Park Murder

 

Vincent will also be convicted of attempted armed robbery and misconduct involving a weapon. Police authorities say that young Andrew Murphy was killed after he had stepped in front of Vincent to confront him after he had tried to demand money from Andrew’s younger sister. Vincent was twenty years old.

 

Vincent Quimayousie did admit to being near the park on the day of the killing in an interview with the police investigators. However, he denied any involvement in the killing.

 

Hopefully the authorities will be able to find justice for Andrew. Andrew was very brave for protecting his little sister. I’m sure his sister has to live in fear of the once friendly park in her mind to that dark day of losing her heroic brother. I’m sure she will always mourn and remember her brother for his bravery and giving his life to keep her safe. Maybe one day she can get peace, knowing her brothers killer is behind bars.

 

Source: https://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix-metro/central-phoenix/sentencing-set-for-man-convicted-of-killing-teen

 

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Man Sentenced for 62 Years in Prison for 2013 Shooting

Man Sentenced for 62 Years in Prison for 2013 Shooting

Man Shoots Phoenix Officer and Sentenced for 62 Years

 

A convicted felon has now been sentenced to sixty-two years in prison for the 2013 shooting that had wounded a Phoenix Police Officer. These police officers put their life on the line to keep our lives safe, so I’m glad this officer will get some peace knowing that his shooter is facing the consequences. Not often enough, do the victims get to see justice from the suspects. This was a win for all wounded police officers.

 

The Maricopa County prosecutors say that the shooter, Brandon McCabe was sentenced on Thursday to an “aggravated term”.  He had been convicted back in August for attempted first-degree murder as well as: aggravated assault, criminal trespassing, misconduct involving weapons, and resisting arrest.  Quite a colorful past for our shooter.

 

McCabe Has Criminal Past

 

On January 6, 2013 Brandon McCabe was accused of shooting Police Officer, Peter “Chris” Bennett on that January night.  Luckily thirty-six year old Officer Bennett survived his gunshot wounds. He suffered injuries to his face, right hip, and right arm. Apparently Officer Bennett survived the wounds. He approached the shooter, McCabe in an area which has a pretty high burglary rate.

 

Brandon had ignored the Officer’s command and then the two then exchanged gunfire. McCabe was then arrested after he was found hiding in a nearby shed, like a little coward. He also had some gunshot wounds to both of his hands. Sounds like it would have been a crazy gun shoot out.

 

Hopefully less officers are injured keeping our streets safe. They work hard all year round with many hours, they definitely do not get paid enough. Let’s hope Officer Bennett’s recovery goes well and he’s back to being himself.  We need more police and more citizens like Officer Bennett and less people like McCabe in this crazy world.

.

Source: https://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix-metro/central-phoenix/brandon-mccabe-update-man-gets-prison-term-in-phoenix-police-shooting