PHOENIX — A suspect is facing charges in connection to a stabbing in west Phoenix Saturday.
At about 3 p.m., Phoenix police and Phoenix fire responded to an apartment fire near 51st Avenue and Encanto Boulevard.
When they arrived they found a fire and a man, identified as 32-year-old Ishmael Williams, trying to put out the flames.
After the fire was out, a 33-year-old man identified as Williams' roommate, was found dead inside with a stab wound to his neck, according to a police report. His name hasn't been released.
During a police interview with Williams, he stated he and his roommate had gotten into a discussion about how dirty the victim left the house and if the victim would be able to pay his share of the rent for the month.
Williams says after the discussion the victim went to his bedroom and shut his door. A short time later, Williams says he heard a loud noise from the victim's room and forced his way inside to find his roommate on fire.
Williams says he then ran out the front door of their apartment and called for help from the neighbors. He later told police he never touched the victim and that they were the only two inside the apartment.
When emergency crews arrived they found the victim lying face down in his room and pulled him to the living room where they discovered he had a stab wound and burns to his upper body.
A butcher knife and gas can were later discovered inside the victim's bedroom, police said.
Evidence at the scene, as well as interviews, led detectives to arrest Williams.
He was booked into the Maricopa County Jail on charges which include first-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence.
An investigation remains ongoing.
