PHOENIX — A man has been arrested after a shooting at a Phoenix car wash in December 2023.
Phoenix police were originally called to the scene of the shooting near 44th Street and McDowell Road on the morning of December 16.
The victim, 40-year-old Brandon Smith, was pronounced dead at the hospital.
A business employee was detained at the scene, but no arrest was made at the time.
That employee, who has been identified as 30-year-old William Murray, was taken into custody and is now facing a second-degree murder charge.
Court paperwork states that the incident started when Smith and two other people experiencing homelessness were asked to leave the property. Murray allegedly gave them 10 minutes to leave and later picked up some of their belongings to throw them into a dumpster.
The manager of the business told investigators that he was not worried about the pair, as they were working on a bicycle and wouldn't prevent the business from opening.
The manager said he saw Murray pick up the group's belongings before Smith approached Murray "in a threatening manner because he probably just wanted his belongings back." According to court paperwork, Smith pushed Murrary, Murray pushed back and ultimately shot Smith.
Murray told investigators that he feared for his life during the incident and that was why he shot Smith.
