In Phoenix, Arizona, a series of fatal shootings that took place over a three-week span in 2017 have led to the arrest of Cleophus Cooksey Jr., a man suspected of committing multiple murders. The pivotal moment in the investigation came when police responded to a blood-stained apartment where Cooksey was arrested for allegedly killing his mother, Rene Cooksey, and stepfather, Edward Nunn. Subsequently, evidence found at the scene connected him to four other killings, including a firearm and a necklace belonging to one of the victims.

Cooksey, now 43 years old, is facing trial starting Monday, more than seven years after the murders occurred, primarily due to pandemic-related delays. He is accused of eight murders across Phoenix and Glendale, with prosecutors planning to seek the death penalty if he is convicted. Cooksey maintains his innocence and has pleaded not guilty.

The first of the murders linked to Cooksey occurred on November 27, 2017, shortly after he had been released from prison. He had served time for his involvement in a 2001 robbery that turned deadly. Authorities reported that Cooksey had varying relationships with his victims; some were acquaintances while others were complete strangers. Most shootings occurred during the evening and overnight hours. Although police have not disclosed a motive, Cooksey was identified as the perpetrator.

The initial victims of this tragic series of events were Parker Smith and Andrew Remillard, who were shot while sitting in a vehicle in a parking lot. Just five days later, security guard Salim Richards was fatally shot as he approached his girlfriend's apartment. In a physical altercation with Cooksey, Richards lost his gun and necklace, which later became key pieces of evidence linking Cooksey to the subsequent murders of Latorrie Beckford and Kristopher Cameron.

Maria Villanueva, another victim, was last seen about to meet her boyfriend in Glendale. Instead, police believe Cooksey abducted her in her vehicle, and her lifeless body was discovered the next day in an alley, partially unclothed and sexually assaulted. DNA evidence collected from her confirmed Cooksey's involvement in the crime.

The investigation culminated in Cooksey's arrest on December 17, 2017, when officers responded to reports of gunfire at his mother's apartment. Upon arriving, they found significant amounts of blood and were confronted by Cooksey, who claimed to have injured his hand. Upon further investigation, police discovered the bodies of his mother and stepfather as well as critical evidence linking him to the earlier shootings, including Richards' gun and Villanueva's car keys.

Over the years, Cooksey has expressed a desire to expedite the judicial process in hopes of clearing his name. In a handwritten letter submitted to the court in January 2020, he insisted the charges against him were false, proclaiming his identity as an aspiring musician rather than a murderer or rapist. Lawyer Robert Reinhardt, representing Cooksey, did not provide comments when approached by the Associated Press.

The pandemic led to several postponements of Cooksey's trial, affecting the preparation and evaluation of experts. Initially, police had also considered him a suspect in a ninth homicide, the shooting death of Jesus Real in December 2017. However, prosecutors ultimately decided not to file charges due to insufficient evidence for a conviction.

This series of killings unfolded in the context of two earlier serial shooting cases that had already instilled fear in the Phoenix area. From late August to early September 2015, eleven shootings occurred on the freeways, with no serious injuries reported but enough concern to prompt people to limit their nighttime activities. A subsequent case lasted nearly a year and resulted in nine fatalities, leading to the arrest of bus driver Aaron Juan Saucedo in April 2017, who is also facing the death penalty.