Scottsdale police say multiple shootings are connected, investigating 4th death
Scottsdale police are investigating a fatal shooting Saturday morning, and announced that they believe the murder of a forensic psychiatrist and two paralegals earlier this week are connected.
Sgt. Ben Hoster, a spokesman for the Scottsdale Police Department, said the department is investigating a fourth homicide at an office near Hayden and Mountain View roads. Police received a call to the business complex shortly after midnight from someone known to the victim. An adult male was found dead inside of one of the offices, Hoster said.
The man who was killed was Marshall Levine, a psychologist and counselor, according to Karen Kolbe, who rented him office space.
Police were still investigating whether Levine's killing is connected to the other three.
The scene at Levine's office, Peak Life Solutions, was secured with crime tape shortly before noon Saturday. Multiple police cruisers were parked outside of the office complex. Two cars were parked in the lot behind the tape.
On Friday, 48-year-old Veleria Sharp and 49-year-old Laura Anderson were shot and killed at the law office of Burt, Feldman and Grenier near First and 75th streets about 2:15 p.m. They both worked as paralegals.
On Thursday, Steven Pitt, a forensic psychiatrist who consulted on a number of high-profile cases including the Baseline Killer case and the JonBenét Ramsey murder investigation, was killed outside of his office near Scottsdale and Bell roads, police said.
Witnesses told police they heard a loud argument followed by gunshots, Phoenix police Sgt. Vince Lewis said Friday. Pitt was pronounced dead at the scene.
The shooter fled the area. Lewis said the shooter was described as an adult male, bald and wearing a dark-colored hat with a short brim.
Police are asking for anyone with information on the shootings to call 911 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS, or for Spanish 480-TESTIGO.
The law firm Burt Feldman and Grenier issued a statement of condolences on the women killed Friday.
"Laura has worked with us as family for more than ten years," it said. "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."
The statement continued:
"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."
This is a developing story. Check azcentral.com for updates.
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