Crime
Prominent Valley Attorney James Arthur Eaves Fatally Shot in Arcadia Neighborhood, Brother Arrested
Phoenix, AZ – A well-respected Valley attorney has died following a fatal shooting at a residence in the Arcadia neighborhood on Friday morning.
According to the Phoenix Police Department, officers responded to reports of gunfire around 8 a.m. near 44th Street and Camelback Road.
Upon arrival, they discovered an injured man lying in the driveway of his home. Despite immediate efforts, the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Authorities have identified the victim as 51-year-old James Arthur “Artie” Eaves, a prominent attorney with the Sanders & Parks law firm.
His brother, 49-year-old Christopher Arthur Eaves, was taken into custody at the scene. Police have stated that the shooting does not appear to be a random act.
Christopher Eaves is facing multiple charges, including murder, though investigators have not yet determined a clear motive for the homicide.
While the neighborhood has been secured, detectives remain on-site as the investigation continues.
James Eaves, widely known as “Artie,” was a highly regarded attorney who dedicated more than two decades of his career to Sanders & Parks. Prior to joining the firm, he served as a prosecutor with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, where he earned a strong reputation for his legal acumen.
In a statement, Sanders & Parks expressed profound grief over the loss of their colleague:
“Artie was a beloved colleague and a tremendously skilled attorney who was an integral part of Sanders & Parks for nearly 22 years. Prior to joining the firm, he was a highly regarded prosecutor at the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. We will all miss Artie more than words can express. He was not just our colleague, but a good friend and mentor to all of us. Sanders & Parks extends its deepest condolences to Artie’s entire family.”
According to the firm’s website, Eaves specialized in medical malpractice defense, representing doctors and hospitals in high-stakes litigation.
Authorities urge anyone with information regarding the case to contact the Phoenix Police Department or submit an anonymous tip to Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.
Crime
Eric Bechtolt Killed After Shooting at Florence Tower in Omaha, Suspect Billy Dorrall Arrested
Omaha, NE – On Sunday evening, Omaha Police Department officers responded to an active shooting at Florence Tower, located at 5100 Florence Blvd, following multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire inside the building.
The first reports were received at 6:05 p.m., with at least three separate callers stating they had heard shots fired on the fifth or sixth floor of the apartment complex.
By 6:14 p.m., a fourth caller reported seeing a male suspect walking on the sixth floor carrying two handguns.
Uniform Patrol officers arrived on scene at 6:11 p.m. and began a floor-by-floor search of the building, starting from the fifth floor.
As officers ascended the south stairwell toward the sixth floor, they heard sounds of a disturbance.
Just as they neared the sixth-floor door, it was abruptly opened by a male suspect — later identified as 50-year-old Billy A. Dorrall.
At that moment, one officer discharged their service weapon, striking Dorrall in the left hip.
In response, Dorrall fired back down the stairwell and then retreated into the sixth-floor hallway.
Once back in the hallway, Dorrall reportedly fired multiple rounds, aiming both up and down the corridor, and threatened several residents at gunpoint.
A coordinated arrest team, equipped with a ballistic shield, moved into position while officers in the stairwell maintained containment. As they prepared to enter the hallway, officers heard additional gunfire.
The arrest team entered the hallway, issued loud verbal commands, and Dorrall surrendered without further incident.
He was immediately provided medical treatment by Omaha Fire Department personnel and transported to Nebraska Medicine, where he was treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. He has since been released into police custody.
During the investigation, officers recovered surveillance footage from building cameras, which was provided by the Omaha Housing Authority.
The footage shows Dorrall behaving erratically and confronting residents before engaging in a verbal altercation with another tenant, identified as 45-year-old Eric M. Bechtolt.
The video shows Dorrall returning to his apartment, retrieving a firearm, and shooting Bechtolt multiple times in the hallway. Responding officers later found Bechtolt deceased outside the stairwell door.
Dorrall was interviewed by detectives and provided a full confession, admitting to the murder of Bechtolt.
He also expressed an intent to kill additional residents and responding officers had he not been stopped.
Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer issued a statement commending the officers involved:
“I want to commend the officers who responded to this incredibly dangerous situation. Their training, courage, and swift response undoubtedly prevented further loss of life. What unfolded at Florence Tower was tragic, and our thoughts and condolences are with the family and loved ones of Mr. Bechtolt. Our officers acted heroically under extreme pressure, and I am proud of their commitment to protecting the residents of Omaha.”
The department has released still images from surveillance footage, showing Dorrall armed with two handguns, along with crime scene photographs of the weapons, ammunition, and spent shell casings recovered from the scene.
The investigation remains ongoing.