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Suspect arrested after deadly shooting at apartment complex near 19th Avenue and Bell Road

Cody Thomas.png
Posted at 10:58 AM, Jun 19, 2021
and last updated 2021-06-22 15:12:14-04

PHOENIX — Police say a man was arrested on suspicion of murder after he allegedly shot and killed a man at a north Phoenix apartment complex over the weekend.

Officials say around 1:30 a.m. Saturday, officers responded to a call of a shooting at an apartment complex near 19th Avenue and Bell Road.

Officers arrived at the scene and found a man, identified as 25-year-old Elijah Hassan Muhammad, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Witnesses told authorities that Muhammad was told to move out of the apartment.

Court documents say 30-year-old Cody Thomas was contacted to go and help get Muhammad out of the apartment.

When Thomas arrived, he began to argue with Muhammad which turned into a physical fight.

Police say Muhammad pulled a gun out of his pocket. Thomas reportedly grabbed that gun and shot Muhammad.

As Muhammad ran out of the apartment and went down the stairs, Thomas reportedly continued to shoot at Muhammad.

A witness told police they saw a man run toward a black car with a dark bag in his hand.

On Monday, investigators located a black Audi parked at a home in Florence where authorities spotted Thomas and his girlfriend.

Police later placed Thomas into custody at a grocery store parking lot.

Thomas told police that he had been invited to the apartment to help with removing Muhammad and a fight began.

Thomas told police he shot the victim inside the apartment and as he tried to run away, he continued to shoot at him. Once he saw Muhammad fall on the floor after the last shot, he grabbed a bag from the victim’s arm that had thousands of dollars in cash and left the apartment complex.

Six shell casings were found at the scene with one projectile that hit a nearby apartment door and was found inside an interior wall. This apartment was occupied by six people.

A large amount of money was later found at the Florence home where Thomas was spotted.

A gun was also found on the shoulder of the freeway near the apartment complex where Thomas said he got rid of the weapon.

Thomas is facing multiple charges that include first-degree murder and armed robbery with a deadly weapon.