Phoenix Police Arrest Suspect in Fatal Double Shooting
Officers arrived and located a pair of adult male victims, each of whom had sustained at least one gunshot wound, police said regarding a fatal double shooting east of downtown Phoenix. Police have since taken 23-year-old Taishawn Terry Bailey into custody and booked him on two counts of premeditated first-degree murder.
Arrest Near Baseline Road Follows Early Morning Double Homicide
The investigation began when Phoenix police units responded to multiple reports of gunfire near 16th Street and McKinley at approximately 4:30 a.m. on Oct. 6, according to statements released by the Phoenix Police Department. Both victims were declared dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the men killed as 56-year-old Charles Hendrix and 64-year-old Jerry Braggs. Investigators subsequently tracked a suspect, identifying him as Taishawn Terry Bailey. On Oct. 7, police apprehended Bailey near the area of 44th Street and Baseline Road, recovering a firearm at the time of the arrest.
Conflicting Timestamps and Official Statements from Police Spokespersons
While local reporting details the initial police response, specific timestamps regarding the discovery of the victims vary slightly across coverage. Department spokesperson Sgt. John Buchanan stated during a news conference at approximately 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 6 that officers responded to a call about a shooting around 4:45 a.m., contrasting with the 4:30 a.m. emergency calls cited in initial department releases.
Additional details provided by department spokesperson Phoebe Crump, as reported by azcentral.com, confirm that Bailey was booked directly on two counts of premeditated first-degree murder.
Police Seek Motive and Links Between Suspects
Homicide detectives closed the area around 16th and McKinley streets for a period to document the scene, search for surveillance video, and seek additional witnesses. Investigators have not yet determined whether Hendrix and Braggs were related, nor whether either man had any prior acquaintance with Bailey.
Police have not publicly revealed the precise sequence of events or motives leading up to the gunfire.
Bailey Faces Two Counts of First-Degree Murder
Following his apprehension near 44th Street and Baseline Road by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Bailey was transferred to jail. He faces two formal counts of first-degree murder as the Maricopa County judicial system prepares for initial court appearances and formal arraignment proceedings.