CHANDLER, AZ — A man has been arrested after a deadly domestic violence-related shooting in Chandler Tuesday.
Just before 11:30 a.m., officers with the Chandler Police Department were called to an apartment complex near Dobson and Frye roads for reports of a shooting.
When they arrived, officers found a 38-year-old man standing outside of the apartment with his four children, all under the age of nine.
When the officers went into the apartment, they located a woman, the mother of the children, with an apparent gunshot wound, police said. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators found a gun in the bedroom and evidence that two shots were fired, with one of them striking the victim.
The victim's name hasn't been released.
The man was arrested and booked into jail. He is facing charges of first-degree murder.
According to court paperwork, when officers arrived, the suspect told them "I shot her" after one of his children said the dad shot the mother. When police questioned one of the children they said all four children were home at the time and they saw their father shoot their mother.
During an investigation, authorities learned there was a recent history of violence escalating. Police were called to the apartment just a few days prior for a verbal argument.
The victim told a friend she did not tell police what happened and actually said she had been threatened with a knife, which was also reported by the children, according to documents.
A neighbor told ABC15 the woman was trying to get a protective order against the man.
"We tried for several hours between myself, my husband, and her," said neighbor Adela Parra.
She said they never heard back from any of the shelters they called.
Parra said the mom was planning to get a protective order against her husband the day she was shot.
"I was on a phone call at the time that that happened, so with an earpiece in I wasn't sure what I heard," said Parra. "But the second time I clearly heard a gunshot."
Parra is hurting and hopes sharing her search for resources will help others.
"Domestic violence is a public safety issue," said Director of Domestic and Sexual Violence Services for A New Leaf, Dana Martinez. "It's a terrible situation."
The non-profit has a 24/7 hotline, but she said her team needs more funding and staffing.
ABC15 asked what options people had if they felt their situation was dire and they hadn't gotten through to anyone.
"If you feel your situation is unsafe, call the police, call 911," said Martinez.
She said police have access to emergency orders of protection.
"They can call the local hotlines and helplines, but if that's not available or there is a long wait time they can call the national hotline," said Martinez.
If you or someone you know is in a domestic violence situation, there are local and national resources to get help:
- A New Leaf (Maricopa County) - 480-890-3039
- Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence - 602-279-2900, 800-782-6400, 602-279-7270
- National Domestic Violence Hotline - 800-799-7233
- National Sex Assault Hotline - 800-656-4673
An investigation remains ongoing.
