3 arrested after man shot, killed in Phoenix: police

PHOENIX – the Phoenix According to the police department, three men were arrested for shooting and killing another man after an alleged altercation with a neighbor.

Just before 1 a.m. on December 18, officers responded to reports of a shooting near 23rd Avenue and Deer Valley Road. That’s where they found Richard Coss, 25, dead.

“Initial information indicates that the victim was shot in an apartment following an altercation,” Phoenix Police Sgt. Anne Justus.

Detectives have developed probable cause to arrest Carl Blazak, 46, on suspicion of murder. He was put in jail.

Police released further details of the shooting two days later, saying Blazak and the two other unknown suspects showed up at Coss’ apartment, forced their way inside and shot him.

“A witness, the victim’s girlfriend, fled the apartment and dialed 911. Police responded and located the victim inside his apartment with an apparent gunshot wound to his chest. . The victim
was declared deceased at the scene. The other male resident reported that he, the victim and the victim’s girlfriend were in their apartment when there was a knock on the door,” police said.

It was then that Coss allegedly opened the door and at least three men rushed inside and began to fight with the victim.

“The witness saw one of the men pull out a handgun and shoot the victim in the chest. After the shooting, the suspects fled the apartment. The witness said everyone was wearing masks, he did not ‘was therefore able to identify anyone,’ the police continued. .

Coss’ girlfriend told police that her boyfriend and a downstairs neighbor, who she is believed to be friends with, got into a fight.

“After the altercation, the neighbor informed the witness that she had called someone to take care of the victim,” police said. It was then that Blazak and the group of suspects allegedly arrived and killed the victim.

A witness fled after hearing a gunshot, saying she did not see the shooting taking place, but was able to see one of the men who was not wearing a mask and identify him as a suspect by looking at a picture.

“The witness identified the defendant as the husband of the woman with whom the victim had a verbal altercation. The defendant lived in the apartment below the witness and the witness had known the defendant for approximately one year,” police said.

A search warrant was made at the suspect’s home, and he and his wife were taken into custody, police said.

“During the interview, the accused stated that he did not shoot the victim but indicated that he was present during the altercation. The accused did not provide any further information. During During the interview, the defendant’s wife denied knowledge of the homicide, but said she had an argument with neighbors upstairs,” police added.

On December 23, police announced that Keith McCollough, 49, and Jimmy Eslinger, 29, had also been arrested in connection with the shooting.

Both men have been jailed and are charged with first degree murder.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Phoenix Police Department at 602-262-6151, or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS. Silent Witness callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.

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