PHOENIX — Authorities say a 34-year-old man, later identified as 34-year-old Brandon Lujan, is in police custody after he allegedly shot and killed three members of his own family Sunday.
One neighbor in the area says he heard gunshots the night the shooting happened.
“Five in a row, then a three-second break and then four more - that’s what I heard,” says Roger Pongratz, neighbor.
Pongratz heard gunshots outside his home about a block away. Then he spotted a car leaving the area.
Court documents say at 11:25 p.m. they responded to reports of neighbors hearing five to six gunshots.
“Two minutes later, the police show up and they were just going up and down the street and through the alleys with spotlights and looking at everything. Then they hung out for another 25 minutes and I stood out on the driveway the whole time,” says Pongratz.
When police say they were unable to locate a scene, they left the area.
On Sunday at around 3:20 p.m., police responded to a homicide call at the Memorial Veterans Hospital on 7th Street and Indian School Road.
Lujan arrived at the VA Hospital at around 3 a.m. Sunday for a twisted ankle, and allegedly told staff, and police at around 3 p.m. he killed his brother and parents the night before.
Police eventually made their way to the home Sunday afternoon making a gruesome discovery at a home off Pinchot Avenue, near 30th Street and Thomas Road.
At about 3:30 p.m., officers responded to a welfare check call at the family's home near 32nd Street and Thomas Road after the suspect, identified as 34-year-old Brandon Lujan, reportedly told somebody he had harmed his family.
When officers entered the home, they found Lujan's mother, father and brother all shot to death. Police say initial reports indicate the three may have been deceased for some time.
“At some point, the officers forced their way into the residence and did locate three family members. A mother, father and the brother of the suspect. They had all been fatally shot,” says Sgt. Mercedes Fortune, Phoenix Police Department.
The victims were identified as 56-year-old Irene Lujan, 63-year-old Lewis Lujan and 30-year-old Mathew Lujan.
Police said Lujan was detained at the hospital at around 3:45 p.m.
Detectives learned that Lujan and his parents got into an argument on Saturday, that he says was "partially resolved," according to court documents.
When his brother Mathew reportedly got involved in the argument, it turned into a fight. Lujan says his brother pushed him, causing him to twist his ankle, and punched him in the face.
This led Lujan to pull his handgun out of his waistband and shoot Mathew multiple times. His parents then entered the room and he then shot his parents after he says they "lunged at him", according to court documents.
Lujan did not render first aid and says he blacked out after the incident.
Lujan was booked and is facing three counts of first-degree murder and is being held on a million-dollar bond.
An investigation remains ongoing.
