A 23-year-old man is in custody following a deadly shooting Thursday morning at a home in Peoria, where police say a young woman was found dead inside the residence. Investigators have identified the victim as the suspect’s cousin and say the case remains under active investigation.
According to Peoria police, officers were called to a home near 91st Avenue and Beardsley Road at about 9:30 a.m. after receiving reports of a shooting involving an injured person. When officers arrived, they made contact with several people inside the home and began working to secure the scene.
Police later confirmed that one woman died at the residence and that a suspect was taken into custody without further violence.
Response
Peoria police said officers encountered a tense situation when they arrived at the home. Investigators reported that the suspect exited the residence armed and appeared to be in crisis at the time.
Officers were able to de-escalate the situation through communication and took the suspect into custody without additional shots fired or injuries. Police emphasized that no officers were hurt during the response.
Inside the home, officers found a woman who had died from an apparent gunshot wound. She was later identified as 22-year-old Justice Parton.
Victim
Detectives said the victim and the suspect were cousins. Police have not released additional details about their relationship or what events led up to the shooting.
Two other people were inside the home at the time of the incident, according to police. Neither was injured, and investigators have not said whether they witnessed the shooting.
Authorities have not released information about how long the victim had been inside the home before officers arrived.
Suspect
Police identified the suspect as 23-year-old Nickolas I. Benson. He was arrested at the scene and later booked into the Maricopa County Jail.
According to police, Benson faces multiple felony charges, including first-degree murder. Court records and charging documents were not immediately available, and police did not say whether the suspect has retained legal counsel.
Investigators have not released a possible motive and said they are still working to determine what led up to the shooting.
Investigation
The Peoria Police Department said detectives are continuing to gather evidence and interview witnesses. Investigators are reviewing the scene and examining physical evidence collected from the home.
Police have not indicated whether the shooting was accidental or intentional, nor have they released information about the firearm involved.
Because the investigation is ongoing, additional details have not yet been made public.
Community
The shooting occurred in a residential area of Peoria, near the intersection of 91st Avenue and Beardsley Road. Police did not issue any shelter-in-place orders or public safety alerts related to the incident.
Authorities have not said whether they believe there is any ongoing threat to the community.
As with many cases involving family members, investigators say understanding the relationships and events leading up to the shooting will be a key part of the case.
Next Steps
Detectives are expected to continue interviews and forensic analysis in the coming days. The case will be forwarded to prosecutors for review as the investigation progresses.
Police said additional information may be released once charges are formally filed and court proceedings begin.
For now, the department says its focus remains on determining the circumstances surrounding the shooting and ensuring a complete and accurate investigation.
FAQs
When did the shooting occur?
Police responded around 9:30 a.m. Thursday.
Where did the shooting happen?
Near 91st Avenue and Beardsley Road in Peoria.
Who was the victim?
The victim was identified as 22-year-old Justice Parton.
Who is the suspect?
Police identified the suspect as 23-year-old Nickolas I. Benson.
Are others injured?
No other injuries were reported.
