Former neo-Nazi J.T. Ready, 4 others killed in Gilbert shooting

GILBERT, AZ - A prominent former neo-Nazi, who was among the five shot and killed Wednesday in Gilbert, was a well known leader of the Neo Nazi Party in Arizona, also known as the Socialist Movement.

J.T. Ready, 39, officially stepped away from the organization two years ago to form his own border patrol unit.

The former Marine and other men would scour the desert looking for illegal border crossers and smugglers and they were always armed.

A couple of months ago, Ready started looking into running for Pinal County Sheriff.

Harry Huges ran his exploratory committee until resigning about a month ago.

He said Ready was always armed but he can't image the man he knew would kill anyone in anger, especially women and a child.

"I'm still in shock," said Huges at his home outside of Maricopa. "I'm going to remember him as the Patriot, compassionate and kind man that he was."

In an email around 5:15 a.m. Thursday to ABC15, police identified Ready and the four others shot and killed Wednesday afternoon at a home near Cooper and Warner roads.

Neighbors said Ready moved into the Gilbert home about a year ago.