GLENDALE, Ariz. — Authorities have arrested a suspect accused of shooting and killing a man in Glendale earlier this year after the victim chose not to buy drugs from the suspect.
Elijah Hawkins, 27, was taken into custody Tuesday on suspicion of murdering a man at an apartment complex near 67th Avenue and Butler Drive in the early morning hours of July 25.
The victim's girlfriend told Glendale police he was trying to buy pills from Hawkins before the suspect allegedly fired multiple gunshots into their apartment, court records show.
The girlfriend said the victim changed his mind about buying drugs from Hawkins after discovering the suspect was only offering fentanyl pills.
Before the victim died on Aug. 10, he identified Hawkins as the shooter from a photo lineup presented by detectives.
Hawkins told police he was in Tempe on the night of the shooting and denied involvement.
Investigators traced the geographical data of Hawkins' cell phone and discovered it was allegedly located near the victim's apartment on the day of the shooting.
Detectives reported finding an assortment of various narcotic pills in the suspect's apartment, court records show.
Hawkins is facing multiple felony charges that include first-degree murder, drug possession, and discharging a firearm at a residence.
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Silent Witness:
Arizona's Silent Witness program allows people to send in tips and share information about crimes happening within their local communities.
The program shares unsolved felony case information in multiple ways, including TV, radio and social media.
Anyone who has information on a crime or recognizes a suspect described by the program is asked to call 480-948-6377, go to the program's website online or download the Silent Witness app to provide a tip. The identity of anyone who submits a tip is kept anonymous.
Calls to Silent Witness are answered 24/7 by a live person and submitted tips are accepted at all times. Submitted tips are then sent to the detective(s) in charge of the specific case.
Individuals who submit tips that lead to an arrest or indictment in the case can get a reward of up to $1,000.