Peoria police say a family home on the city’s west side turned into a crime scene Thursday morning after officers found a 22-year-old woman shot to death and arrested her 23-year-old cousin outside with a gun in his hand.
The suspect, identified as Nickolas Izaiha Benson, was taken into custody after officers used a less‑lethal beanbag round. The victim, Justice Parton, was pronounced dead inside the home.
Police response at the scene
According to Arizona's Family, officers were called just before 9:30 a.m. to a house on Clara Lane near 91st Avenue and Beardsley Road after reports of a shooting.
When police arrived, several people were already outside the residence. Benson then walked out of the home holding a firearm, investigators said. Officers reported that he held the weapon to his head until they fired a less‑lethal beanbag round, which allowed them to disarm him and take him into custody.
Inside the house, officers found Parton with an apparent gunshot wound to the head. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Charges and booking
Per 12News, court records show Benson was booked into the Maricopa County Jail on multiple felony counts, including first‑degree murder, manslaughter and weapons charges. His bond was set at $1 million.
Benson remains in custody while prosecutors review the case and prepare for his initial court appearance. Detectives say they are still working to determine what led up to the shooting.
Witness accounts and investigation
Investigators told Arizona's Family that several witnesses reported Benson video‑called them after the shooting. During those calls, he allegedly showed Parton’s body and threatened to kill himself.
Those witnesses also told investigators that Benson claimed Parton had told him to kill her, according to police. Officers said they smelled alcohol on Benson when he was detained. Benson told officers he did not know what had happened, based on the accounts investigators collected.
Next steps in court
Benson will now move through Maricopa County’s criminal justice system, where initial appearances and charging decisions are handled by the court and the county attorney’s office, according to Maricopa County.
If prosecutors file formal murder charges, the case will proceed to arraignment and, if not resolved earlier, into pretrial proceedings. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and more details may be released as detectives continue their work.
