Five Arrested Over Man’s Death in Scottsdale
Authorities in Scottsdale have arrested five individuals in connection with the death of a local man earlier this month. The arrests were made on Wednesday and followed a thorough investigation into the fatal incident.
Details of the Incident
The arrested individuals are Drew Meneses (24), Julius Husser (27), Tony Becker (26), Mark Whitford (23), and Krista Molina (27). Meneses has been charged with second-degree murder and is currently held at Maricopa County Jail.
On October 11, emergency responders were called to Scottsdale Road and First Avenue around 2:15 a.m. for a medical emergency. Upon arrival, officers found Thomas John (TJ) Pizzitola unconscious on the sidewalk. Despite immediate medical attention, he was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
The Altercation
Witness accounts indicate that Pizzitola had been involved in a verbal dispute with four men prior to the incident. The situation escalated into a physical confrontation, during which Pizzitola was struck in the head. This blow caused him to fall and subsequently lose consciousness.
Following the assault, the four assailants fled the scene before police arrived.
Police Investigation and Arrests
Scottsdale police conducted a detailed investigation that led to the identification of the suspects. On Wednesday, they executed search warrants in Phoenix, Chandler, and Tempe, which resulted in the arrests of Meneses, Husser, Becker, Whitford, and Molina.
The police department continues to seek information related to this case. Anyone with relevant details is encouraged to reach out to local authorities.
