CHANDLER, Ariz. — A quiet Chandler neighborhood became an active crime scene Monday night after a 58-year-old man was fatally shot.
Chandler police have identified the victim as Matthew Miller.
The victim and his wife had stopped to pick up their mail when the shooter opened fire on their car near Hunt Highway and Gilbert Road.
The wife, who was not injured, called 911 and was able to identify the shooter to Chandler police officers. Court documents indicate the victim pushed his wife's head down, protecting and saving her life.
Channing Vanderbilt, 31, has been identified as the suspect accused of killing the victim with a rifle. He's been booked into jail and is facing multiple felony charges.
Joan Loose's said her home was hit by the suspect's gunfire. “That’s why our house got all the shells because he (Vanderbilt) was shooting this way,” said Loose.
Adam Paul said he saw Vanderbilt pretending to be a bystander when police arrived.
“He was picking up something off the ground, and then I saw him walk by the people that were assembling. I could see him making hand gestures like if he didn’t know," said Paul.
Earlier Monday, Chandler police were dispatched to a nearby area for reports of someone shooting at a cinderblock wall.
Shannon Smith was cleaning her windows when the bullets hit the wall. She said one nearly hit her. “There were four to five pops that I thought I heard,” said Smith.
Detectives are still trying to determine whether these two incidents are related.
Police said after he was arrested, Vanderbilt allegedly said he picked up bullet casings as "souvenirs" but denied being involved in the shooting.
Investigators are still investigating what led up to the incident. The victim is not being identified at this time.
This is a developing story. Stay with 12News for updates.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.
Get to know 12News
At 12News, we listen, we seek, we solve for all Arizonans. 12News is the Phoenix NBC affiliate owned by TEGNA Inc.
12News is built on a legacy of trust. We serve more than 4.6 million people every month on air, on our 12News app, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and 12News.com.
We are committed to serving all of the Valley's communities, because we live here, too.
12News is the Official Home of the Arizona Cardinals and the proud recipient of the 2018 Rocky Mountain Emmy Award for Overall Excellence.
Stay connected by downloading the 12News app, available on Google Play and the Apple Store. Catch up on any stories you missed on the show on the 12News Youtube channel. Read content curated for our Spanish-speaking audience on the Español page. Or see us on the 12News Plus app available on Roku or Amazon Fire.
More ways to get 12News
On your phone: Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
On your streaming device: Download 12News+ to your streaming device
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.