Phoenix construction worker shot and killed, another injured while on the job

PHOENIX - A Phoenix construction site became the center of a homicide investigation after a worker was shot and killed and another is fighting for his life.

Phoenix Police say at around 8 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 1, officers were flagged down by witnesses who said two men were shot near 39th Street and Thomas Road.

"Preliminary information from the scene is the two victims were working on a construction project when an argument with the suspect took place. The suspect produced a firearm and the shooting took place," said Phoenix Police Sgt. Mayra Reeson.

48-year-old Alan David Whitworth died at the scene and an unidentified 19-year-old man has critical injuries at the hospital.

As for the suspect, there's no description or information on where they may have fled to.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the Phoenix Police Department at 602-262-6151 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS. You can remain anonymous if you call Silent Witness and could be eligible for a reward.

Tips needed to find the suspect

Residents who live in the area saw their neighborhood turn into a crime scene.

"We heard helicopters at about 8:15," a neighbor named Catrina Campbell said. "It really is a nice neighborhood, and it's just so close to home and we were. It's just sad."

Sgt. Reeson says investigators don't believe the suspect and victims knew each other.

"We do not believe they knew each other," she said. "The two victims in this case were just working. They were, from my understanding, they were fixing a fence on a property there, they
were hired to do this when an altercation occurred with this suspect. A verbal argument ensued and then the suspect returned. A second verbal argument ensued and that is when he shot and nearly killed two of them."

Police are asking the public for any photos, videos or other evidence to help find the suspect.

"There were a lot of witnesses they talked to. We believe there are a lot of witnesses out there who may have fled out of fear or are afraid to come forward. That's who we're reaching out to," Sgt. Reeson said.

Campbell, although she doesn't know the victims, hopes the suspect is found.

"I hope that they find this person for the family of the people involved," she said.

Police say there is no believed threat to the public.

Map of where the shooting happened: