Man confesses to string of deadly Arizona shootings, blaming his hatred of drugs and homelessness
A 20-year-old Arizona man who allegedly confessed to shooting four people dead and wounding a fifth person told police he carried out the killing spree due to a hatred of drugs and homelessness, court documents show. Iren Byers claimed responsibility for the shootings after he was taken into custody for trespassing near Main St and Extension Rd in Mesa, Phoenix, on Sunday, according to a statement from the Mesa Police Department. Mr Byers was cooperative and told police where they could find a 9mm handgun and clothing he had been wearing during the shootings, according to the release. Shell casings from each of the shootings in Mesa and Phoenix were linked to the 9mm pistol found in a fanny pack in his room at his grandmother’s apartment, police said. The first shooting occurred at around 2.45pm on Friday near 26th and Oak St, in east Phoenix. According to the documents obtained by The Independent, Mr Byers said he had been walking along a canal with with 41-year-old Nicholas Arnstad. Mr Byers told police he shot Arnstad in the head because he was smoking fentanyl, which had angered him because his brother had also abused the deadly opiate. Police found Arnstad’s body soon afterwards. Mesa police officers were called to Beverly Park at about 10.30pm on Friday night where they found the body of 41-year-old Julian Cox, according to the statement. Mr Byers later claimed he had shot Cox in the head after he started talking about using “blues”, which is a street name for fentanyl, according to the court papers. Mr Byers told investigators he then met Stephen Young, 41, at a Circle K and rode with him on light rail. Mr Byers claimed that he wanted to smoke marijuana, and that Young spoke about using fentanyl. He allegedly confessed to shooting Young in the head before taking off. Police found Young’s body near a Greyhound station on Country Club Rd at about midnight. Mr Byers told investigators he then met 40-year-old John Swain, who he said was homeless and not from the Phoenix area, while walking on nearby railroad tracks, according to the probable cause statement. He said he shot Swain once, and continued to shoot him as he fell down a hill, according to the court papers. Officers found his body near Extension Road and Main Street at about 1am on Saturday. Mr Byers then met his final victim, identified as 36-year-old Angela Fonseca, while walking on Main St. He claimed to have shot her in the face after getting angry at her. Ms Fonseca was found just after midnight, and was taken to hospital where she was underwent several surgeries. Doctors say she is expected to survive. Mr Byers was initially arrested on a trespassing charge, and was reportedly cooperative with police officers. He allegedly told investigators they could find the 9mm handgun and clothing at his grandmother’s house, police said. At least one shell casing from each crime scene matched the weapon, according to documents. Security footage also showed Mr Byers wearing clothes that matched the recovered items, the papers stated. Mr Byers has been booked into prison without bond on four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder. “Knowing that Iren Byers will have to face the consequences of his unjustified actions is the start of justice to be seen,” Mesa Police Detective Brandi George said in a statement. Read More Aderrien Murry called 911 to help his mom. A police officer shot the 11-year-old as he complied with commands Succession finale review: Kendall’s wretched past comes back to bite him in poetic, violent last episode Fight over photograph sparks New Mexico biker brawl that leaves three dead and six injured
2023-05-29 22:57
Ron DeSantis news – live: DeSantis facing three new lawsuits as Trump blames him for making Disney ‘woke’
Ron DeSantis is facing three new lawsuits after he signed a new law just hours before announcing his presidential campaign – legislation which makes it harder to vote in Florida. The bill allows Mr DeSantis to continue as governor in the Sunshine State as he campaigns for the White House, but it also restricts the use of mail-in ballots, attempts to make it easier to purge voting rolls, and places limits on third-party voter registration organisations, according to Mother Jones. Meanwhile, Mr DeSantis is facing fresh fire from his top 2024 rival Donald Trump. The ex-president took to Truth Social this weekend to claim that Mr DeSantis is responsible for entertainment giant Disney becoming “woke”. “Disney has become a Woke and Disgusting shadow of its former self, with people actually hating it. Must go back to what it once was, or the ‘market’ will do irreparable damage,” he wrote on Truth Social. “This all happened during the Governorship of ‘Rob’ DeSanctimonious. Instead of complaining now, for publicity reasons only, he should have stopped it long ago. Would have been easy to do - Still is!” Read More Donald Trump Jr shares doctored Office clip showing Ron DeSantis wearing a woman’s suit DeSantis accuses Trump of ‘moving to the left’ as he tells ex-president: ‘You’ve changed’ Trump's welcome of Scott into 2024 race shows his calculus: The more GOP rivals, the better for him Disney opposes DeSantis request to disqualify judge in free speech lawsuit
2023-05-29 22:18
Pedro Pascal says he got an eye infection from fans recreating his 'Game of Thrones' death scene
When it comes to weird fan interactions, Pedro Pascal wins.
2023-05-29 21:54
3 White Sox who should be traded and where
The White Sox have struggled so far this season. All signs point to Chicago looking to trade away talent as the trade deadline approaches.The Chicago White Sox have undoubtedly failed to meet expectations so far this year. Their preseason Vegas win total prop had them projected to finish just ab...
2023-05-29 21:51
MLB Power Rankings by winning percentage against .500 or better teams
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2023-05-29 20:53
Uganda's President Museveni approves tough new anti-gay law
UNAids and the US warn that Uganda's progress in tackling HIV is now in "grave jeopardy".
2023-05-29 20:48
Cathay Pacific to order Boeing 777-8F freighter -sources
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2023-05-29 20:30
Ancient tombs and large mummification workshops unearthed in Egypt
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2023-05-29 20:23
Delhi murder: Indian man held after brutally murdering girl in public
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2023-05-29 19:59
Eastern Canada's Halifax declares emergency over wildfire, shutting schools
The eastern Canadian city of Halifax declared a state of local emergency late on Sunday after a wildfire
2023-05-29 19:48
Factbox-Biggest issues in Canadian province of Alberta's May 29 election
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2023-05-29 19:25
Biden and McCarthy lean on holdouts in both parties to pass debt ceiling deal
Party leaders in Washington are waging an urgent campaign Monday to convince Democrats and Republicans to get behind compromise legislation that would avert a first-ever national default, with each side proclaiming victory following marathon talks.
2023-05-29 18:53