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Arizona shootings: Phoenix and Scottsdale homicides 'related'

PD confirming Scottsdale shootings are 'related'
Posted at 12:38 PM, Jun 02, 2018
and last updated 2018-06-04 09:25:23-04

Police are continuing to collect evidence, listening to more than 100 tips, and "looking in different directions," in the search for a suspect tied to multiple deadly shootings in Phoenix and Scottsdale. 

The deaths of prominent forensic psychiatrist Steven Pitt at his Phoenix office on Thursday and two paralegals at an Old Town Scottsdale law office on Friday are related, police confirmed. 

A fourth victim found dead early Saturday morning at a Scottsdale business complex has not been officially connected to the other investigations. 

On Thursday evening, police were called to an office complex near 71st Street and Bell Road and found a 59-year-old "critically wounded." The victim, later identified as Steven Pitt, died of his injuries.

The suspect left the scene of the shooting involving Pitt, and an arrest has not been made; however, officials released a sketch of the suspect. 

A day later, officers responded to the law firm of Burt, Feldman, and Grenier in Scottsdale at 1st and 75th streets near the Civic Center Library after receiving reports of a double shooting.

Officials say 48-year-oldVeleriaSharp and 49-year-old Laura Anderson were both shot and died of their injuries. 

When officers first arrived at that scene, a woman who had been shot in the head ran outside and told a limo bus driver to call 911. She later died of her injuries at the hospital, authorities said.

The second woman was found dead inside the law office, police said.

Both women were paralegals for the law office. As of Sunday, no arrests have been made in connection with the shootings.

The law firm released the following statement regarding their deaths:

Elizabeth, Sandra and Marykay are shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific events that transpired Friday. 

Laura has worked with us as family for more than ten years. Her intellect, passion and friendship has meant more to us than we can even begin to convey. She was more than a coworker, she was a friend, a mother, grandmother, daughter and wife and gave all of herself to her family, her friends and her work. 

Veleria was a treasured member of our work family.  She brought joy, calmness, warmth and compassion to all that she did. She was a dedicated mother, wife and daughter.  She and her family shared a deep passion for music and their faith.  

Our hearts are heavy for their families at this time.  We are assisting the Scottsdale Police Department as they work to solve this horrible murder.  We thank everyone for their concern and ask that you give us and their families privacy as we mourn these losses.

On Saturday, police responded to an office complex near in Scottsdale Mountain View and Hayden roads after receiving reports of a homicide. 

On Sunday morning, authorities confirmed that 72-year-old Marshall Levine was the victim who was found dead in his office Saturday morning by an acquaintance, a police spokesman said. The acquaintance immediately called 911. 

Police say Levine was a life coach and life counselor. 

It's believed Levine died of a gunshot wound, but an investigation is ongoing, and no additional details were immediately available. 

ABC15 spoke with Karen Kolbe, who was a co-worker of Levine.

“Police came to my door last night at three in the morning and told me and wanted to ask me what I knew,” Kolbe said. "He was a really nice guy; really friendly, really good, solid person to have as an office mate.”

A Phoenix police spokesperson says both the Phoenix and Scottsdale police departments will be "working closely" on these investigations moving forward but did not provide any new details.

Authorities on Saturday increased the reward for this case up to $11,000 leading to an arrest. An additional reward of $10,000 may be earned after a conviction courtesy of the ATF, which brings the potential reward up to $21,000. Callers may remain anonymous. 

Anyone with information regarding the deaths of Pitt, Sharp or Anderson is urged to call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS. 

"We're asking the public to remain vigilant," a Scottsdale police spokesman said. "Any tips or other information that might be out of the ordinary...please call 911 so we can get that information and get working on those tips."

"Right now we are doing our best to locate this suspect and get him off the street," the spokesman said.

Stay with ABC15 News, ABC15 Mobile and abc15.com for the latest information on this developing situation.