MESA, Ariz. — A jury has convicted a man of killing two people in Mesa nearly two years ago, court records show.
Justin K. Peterson, 43, was recently found guilty of two counts of second-degree murder for the deaths of 54-year-old Shawn M. Conner and 39-year-old Ivana Liversedge.
On Sept. 30, 2021, Peterson and his wife got into a fight with the victims outside of a home near Emelita Avenue and Signal Butte Road, Mesa police said.
At the time of Peterson's arrest, police said the suspect had allegedly been "romantic acquaintances" with Liversedge before they had a falling out, resulting in a physical confrontation between the four individuals.
Conner and Liversedge were both fatally shot. At least 33 rounds were fired from an AK-47-style pistol during the incident, according to the East Valley Tribune.
The Maricopa County jury found that Peterson's crimes were committed under the following aggravating circumstances: the offense caused harm to the victims' families, offense involved multiple victims, defendant had a chance to walk away from confrontation, there's a need to protect future victims.
Peterson is scheduled to be sentenced on Monday, Sept. 25.
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