Son admits to shooting and killing his parents in north Phoenix, police say
PHOENIX - A man admitted to shooting and killing his parents in a north Phoenix home, police said.
Officers responded to the home just before 5:15 a.m. on Feb. 12 near State Route 51 and Bell Road.
"When they arrived, they found a man exiting the house and claiming there were people dead inside," Phoenix Police Sgt. Phil Krynsky said.
Officers went inside the home and found a man and a woman dead from gunshot wounds. The victims are Sam Miller, 73, and Marjorie Valentine, 72.
"Officers learned the caller had claimed his father had shot and killed his mother, then turned the gun on himself. When they arrived, officers found the caller, later identified as 38-year-old Jim Miller, and detained him," Phoenix Police said.
Police say Jim Miller admitted to detectives that he shot his parents sometime during the night. He was arrested and was booked into jail on suspicion of two counts of first-degree murder.
Miller told detectives he has a history of mental illness, including schizophrenia and bipolar disease, according to court documents. Miller also allegedly admitted to using drugs on the night of the murders.
A roommate was inside the home and was confirmed to be uninjured.
For hours, detectives taped off the road collecting evidence.
The situation has neighbors on edge. Vivian Brown said she’s disturbed something like this happened in her community.
"It’s very quiet. I’ve been here 15 years, like I said, but I’m still in shock. I’m just concerned if there are any kids that are in the house. Because that’s my main concern," she said.
Police say Jim Miller admitted to shooting and killing his parents at a home near State Route 51 and Bell Road.