Facebook Laura Anderson (top left), Veleria Sharp (right) and Steven Pitt.
Four murders in Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona are connected, sparking fears in the community as people connected to the legal and medical communities have been gunned down in the span of three days.
The murders began on Thursday, May 31, 2018, when a high-profile psychiatrist was slain outside his Phoenix office. They escalated with three more deaths over the next two days of paralegals and a hynotherapist in nearby Scottsdale.
The suspect, who has not been named by police, killed himself on June 4, 2018 in an extended stay hotel. Police do not feel the homicides are random. 12News identified the suspect as Dwight Lamon Jones, 56, based on sources. A motive was not released. However, 12 News reported that one of the victims, Steven Pitt, “did a court-ordered psychiatric evaluation of Jones about eight years ago, during Jones’ bitter divorce from his wife,” and two paralegals who were gunned down worked at a law firm that employed Jones’ wife’s divorce attorney. Furthermore, the TV station reported that Jones had seen a therapist at the office where Levine died.
The spree of murders is believed to be connected to the same gunman, Scottsdale police now say.
Police have released a sketch developed from witness accounts of the shooter.
Here is the sketch of a man believed to be connected to the murder of Dr. Steven Pitt, Veleria Sharp and Laura Anderson. @ScottsdalePD @phoenixpolice Call police if you recognize him @SilentwitnessAZ #Fox10Phoenix
Here are the victims:
Steven Pitt
Steven Pitt, a 59-year-old psychiatrist, was prominent in the legal world because of his long-time consultations with law enforcement throughout the country on some of the nation’s highest-profile crime cases. It’s not yet clear whether his work on any of those cases played a role in his death. He consulted on the JonBenet Ramsey, Columbine school shooting, and Baseline Killer cases.
Pitt listed these high-profile cases on his website:
Consulting for the Boulder District Attorney’s Office and Boulder Police Department in the homicide investigation of JonBenet Ramsey.
Serving as an advisor to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office regarding the Columbine High School tragedy and Director of the Columbine Psychiatric Autopsy Project.
Serving as a consulting expert to the Eagle County (Colo.) District Attorney’s Office in People v. Kobe Bean Bryant.
Serving as an expert witness for the U.S. government in U.S. v. Alfonso Rodriquez, Jr. and U.S. v. Iouri Mikhel.
Serving as a member of the Phoenix Police Department’s “Baseline Killer” task force.
Serving as an expert for Plaintiff’s counsel in Andrea McNulty v. Ben Roethlisberger.
Vincent Lewis, of the Phoenix Police Department said the shooting death of Steven Pitt occurred around 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 31, 2018, near Scottsdale and Bell roads. Witnesses described hearing “a loud argument followed by gunshots,” and the shooter fled, according to AZCentral.com.
The motive was not clear, and Pitt was found dead at the scene. “We are not ruling anything out, but at this point, a loud argument probably suggests they knew each other either professionally or personally,” Lewis said.
The Phoenix New Times previously described Pitt’s work on the infamous murder case of JonBenet, the child beauty pageant contestant found murdered in her family home. Pitt, who generally worked with law enforcement, was a consultant for the District Attorney and the Boulder Police Department on that case.
Born to a homemaker and school administrator in Michigan, Pitt was described by the Phoenix publication as “a street-smart, openly ambitious wiseguy who seems most comfortable helping detectives sort out the psychopathology that has led someone — known or unknown — to commit a crime.”
According to his website, “Steven E. Pitt, D.O., is a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix. A graduate of Michigan State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Pitt completed his residency training in psychiatry at the University of Michigan Medical Center and a fellowship in forensic psychiatry at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.”
His website continues, “Dr. Pitt has garnered a national reputation for his work in conducting forensic psychiatric evaluations, particularly regarding innovations that combine videotaping and transcription. Dr. Pitt’s consulting background includes work with the Phoenix Police Department Homicide and Missing Persons Units, and he has performed evaluations, testified and consulted on forensic psychiatry topics on a variety of criminal cases with national and international visibility.”
Veleria Sharp & Laura Anderson
FacebookLaura Anderson (l) and Veleria Sharp
Horrifically, Veleria Sharp and Laura Anderson, both paralegals, were shot next, in a downtown law office near government buildings and the local Scottsdale library. One of the women was shot in the head. The law firm where both women worked released a statement praising them. “Laura has worked with us as family for more than ten years,” it said of Anderson. “Her intellect, passion and friendship has meant more to us than we can even begin to convey. She was more than a coworker, she was a friend, a mother, grandmother, daughter and wife and gave all of herself to her family, her friends and her work.”
As for Sharp? “Veleria was a treasured member of our work family. She brought joy, calmness, warmth and compassion to all that she did. She was a dedicated mother, wife and daughter. She and her family shared a deep passion for music and their faith.”
Veleria’s husband, Saber Sharp, wrote a tribute to her on Facebook. “Yesterday, the world lost one of the finest women I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Veleria Rascoe Sharp will be forever in my heart and the hearts of the many family and friends who knew her. The outpouring of love and support has been incredible. I appreciate your kindness during this time. I also appreciate you giving us the time and space to grieve. We welcome your love and prayers but will not be answering any questions at this time,” he wrote.
The double shooting occurred on Friday, June 1, 2018. The victims were identified as 48-year-old Sharp and 49-year-old Anderson.
.@ScottsdalePD say the two women killed yesterday were paralegals at law offices of Burt, Feldman & Greneir near Civic Center Plaza. They’ve been identified as 48-yr-old Veleria Sharp and 49-yr-old Laura Anderson.
Police said both women were shot in the law firm office, and that one injured woman “ran outside and told a limo bus driver to call 911. The woman was transported to a nearby hospital where she later died,” according to ABC15. The second woman was located dead inside the law office building. the television station reported.
“MORE: Scottsdale police also now confirming, what we reported late last night. The shooting death of 2 paralegals at Burt|Feldman|Grenier Law office is connected to shooting death of Steven Pitt #Fox10Phoenix,” Stefania Okolie, a reporter for Fox10 Phoenix, wrote on Twitter.
The shootings occurred at the Burt, Feldman, Grenier Law firm.
Marshall Levine
Marshall Levine
By Saturday, June 2, 2018, police were confirming that the murders of Pitt, Sharp, and Anderson were possibly connected to yet another homicide, although this had not yet been definitively determined. Phoenix New Times identified him as Marshall Levine, “a hypnotherapist and life coach,” although police had not yet identified the victim.
UPDATE: Scottsdale police now confirming this is a homicide they are working at a office off of Hayden road. Law enforcement source tells me it is a therapist office. And the man killed is a psychologist. #Fox10Phoenix
“A coach puts the team’s needs first, because his purpose is to serve the team’s goals. He feels fulfilled by the team’s success. I coach because serving, fostering & supporting my clients in reaching their goals & overcoming their challenges gives purpose to my life. My clients’ fulfillment is my joy. This is why I have coached for 30 years and am still thrilled to continue,” Levine’s professional page online states. He worked for a business called “Peak Life Solutions.”
“UPDATE: Scottsdale police now confirming this is a homicide they are working at a office off of Hayden road. Law enforcement source tells me it is a therapist office. And the man killed is a psychologist,” Okolie wrote on Twitter. The fourth victim has not yet been identified.
The @ScottsdalePD confirms another homicide at a commercial building near Hayden/Mountain View Rd. They will be releasing more details regarding the investigation shortly. @FOX10Phoenix #FOX10Phoenix
According to AZFamily.com, the fourth murder occurred “at a business near the area of Hayden and Mountain roads” and both Scottsdale and Phoenix police were investigating.