18-year-old accused of killing man, living in his home afterwards: Phoenix PD

'Disturbing': Mom calls 911 on teen accused of killing neighbor, living in his home

18-year-old Xzavion Johnson is accused of fatally shooting his neighbor and living in his home for several weeks. FOX 10's Steve Nielsen learns more about police's shocking discovery.

PHOENIX - Phoenix Police said a Laveen teenager has been booked into jail in connection with a man's death back in 2025, accused of killing his neighbor and then living in his victim's home for weeks.

What we know:

In a statement released late on Jan. 13, investigators identified the suspect in the case as 18-year-old Xzavion Johnson.

The incident happened at a home in the area of 51st Avenue and Southern. Officers responded to the home at around 11:15 p.m. on Jan. 12, following a welfare check call.

"Details on the call indicated that neighbors had not seen a man at his home in several days. When officers arrived, they contacted a neighbor who stated that they believed someone was in the home due to traffic going in and out of the residence," read a portion of the statement.

Officers then tried to contact whoever was in the house, during which they saw a man, since identified as 57-year-old David Jimenez, dead in the backyard.

Man arrested after shocking discovery at house

Phoenix Police say they have arrested an 18-year-old man, after officers made a shocking discovery during a welfare check.

Dig deeper:

"Believing the home was occupied, officers established containment and contacted the person inside of the home," investigators wrote.

Johnson, according to police, left the home after what was described as an "extended barricade," and was arrested. Police said when they interviewed him, he "admitted to committing a burglary of the home, during which he shot and killed Jimenez."

Police said sometime around Dec. 29, Johnson admitted to breaking into his neighbors home to steal from Jimenez, then shot the homeowner three times. "Since the date of this homicide, Johnson had been living at the home."

Neighbors said the time of the year made it hard to hear gunshots. 

"Those fireworks people were shooting them off, probably from Christmas all the way until the second so you would never actually thought it was gunshot," Garrobo said. 

Local perspective:

Maritsa Aguilar didn’t know Jimenez but wanted to do something for her neighbor.

"It’s sad he lived here by himself and figured, bring him flowers just let him know you know even though nobody knew him we’re gonna show up for him," Aguilar said. 

Everyone used to see David though, on his corner lot of Seely Street.

"He works on his yard see him out there, but I hadn’t seen him for a couple weeks," Paul Garrobo said. 

No one had. And a few doors down, Johnson hadn’t been seen for a while either.

According to police, Johnson’s mom had smelled a foul odor in the neighborhood and went to Jimenez’s house to wonder where her neighbor was, but noticed her son’s mail addressed there. She called 911.

What they're saying:

At his initial appearance, the judge described what Johnson did as disturbing and very brutal.

"That’s just very strange, very just, brazen," Garrobo said. "Just live there with the person that you murdered in the backyard. That’s crazy."

"It’s weird, it’s creepy. I mean, when I read he was living here while you know someone’s in the backyard dead. How can someone do something like that?" Aguilar said. 

Authorities said after killing Jimenez, the teen lived in the man’s home, drove his car and used his credit cards. All while his body was left in the backyard.

What's next:

Johnson, according to police, is accused of multiple charges, including murder and burglary. His bond set at $1 million cash.

"At this time, investigators do not believe that there are any additional suspects related to this homicide," read a portion of the statement. An investigation remains ongoing.

Area where the incident happened