Crime & Safety
Suspect Charged With Phoenix 44th Street Shooting Homicide
Christopher Verland Ayers III was charged with 2nd-degree murder in connection with the December Phoenix shooting death of Lance McDowdell.
PHOENIX, AZ — Christopher Verland Ayers III, 28, was charged Monday with the December 20 shooting death of Lance McDowdell, 25, at an apartment complex near 2600 N. 44th St. in Phoenix. A Phoenix police homicide investigation turned up probable cause against Ayers, who was already booked into jail after the homicide on unrelated charges.
During police processing for the 2nd-degree murder charge, Ayers invoked his right to decline police questioning him about the crime, police said.
Police found McDowdell with gunshot wounds around 1:40 a.m. Dec. 20 in a Phoenix apartment complex driveway. He was taken to a hospital but died there from his injuries.
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Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Phoenix Police Department at 602-262-6141. To stay anonymous, tipsters can call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS or 480-TESTIGO for Spanish language.
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