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Maricopa County: Man arrested for stabbing, killing father in Litchfield Park

Posted at 3:52 PM, Dec 08, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-09 11:48:46-05

Authorities say a Litchfield Park man has been arrested for stabbing and killing his father.

Maricopa County deputies responded to a home near Dysart and Camelback roads on December 4 after a 911 caller reported her son was attacking her husband with a knife. 

Deputies arrived on the scene to find a man dead in the residence and the woman had a cut on her hand, according to court paperwork. 

Investigators say the woman and her husband were getting ready for church when their son came in and began hitting his father, knocking him to the ground.

The son, identified as 47-year-old Randy Steven Zuleger, then ran to the kitchen and removed two knifes from a knife block on the counter.

Zuleger then stabbed his father multiple times and cut his mother on the hand when she tried to stop him, authorities said.

MCSO confirmed the victim's name was Eddie Zuleger

He led a life rich with service to the community and our country.

First Lieutenant Zuleger served in Vietnam and was inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame in 2014. He was just appointed as Board Director for the Hall of Fame and was about to take over in January. 

A faithful man, Zuleger served as chaplain for his American Legion Post #143 in Avondale.

“He's someone who touched a lot of lives and his presence will be greatly missed," said Dr. Heather Weber, Dean of Instruction at Estrella Mountain Community College--where Zuleger retired as professor emeritus after two decades of teaching.

Mr Z, as he was known on campus, started the student Veterans Club. He taught criminal justice classes, drawing directly from his 21 years with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and nine years with the Arizona Department of Corrections.

"His stories were what brought learning alive. He really could bring truth and meaning to his students based on what he experienced," said Dr. Weber.

Zuleger returned to EMCC as an adjunct professor and was currently instructing 90 students. Counseling has been offered on campus. Funeral services are planned for next week, family asks that donations be made to the Wounded Warriors Project in lieu of flowers.

Randy Zuleger was taken into custody after running from the scene. Deputies said his clothing was covered in blood and he had blood on his hands and head. 

Authorities say Zuleger muttered to himself about being on the drug PCP, and said he did behave like he was under the influence of "some type of substance."

Zuleger has been charged with 2nd degree murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and booked into the Fourth Avenue Jail.