Two people are facing murder charges after a late-night shooting at a Tempe motel earlier this week left a man dead.
According to Tempe police, the shooting happened just after 11 p.m. Monday at the Motel 6 near Roosevelt Street and Broadway Road. Officers were called after a 911 caller reported seeing a man badly injured and “covered in blood.”
The victim was taken to a hospital, where doctors determined his injuries were nonsurvivable. Authorities later identified the victim as John Phillips, who died from his injuries.
Police arrested 27-year-old Regan Roussel and 37-year-old Nicholas Mullaney in connection with the shooting. Both suspects were booked into jail on first-degree murder charges.
Roussel is also facing a fugitive-from-justice warrant, while Mullaney faces an additional charge for being a prohibited possessor, meaning he was not legally allowed to have a firearm.
Investigators also arrested a third person, Sargon Benyamin, on drug charges and for being a prohibited possessor, according to booking records. However, he is not being charged in Phillips’ death.
Argument led to shooting
Court documents indicate the shooting followed an argument at the motel involving several individuals. The dispute reportedly began over allegations of domestic violence involving the victim’s girlfriend.
Surveillance audio from the motel captured part of the confrontation between two men. One man was heard asking the other if he “liked to hit girls.” The argument escalated, and one man allegedly threatened to kill the other if he hurt the woman again.
Moments later, a single gunshot was heard.
Security footage reportedly captured a red Kia Soul leaving the scene shortly afterward. Police said the vehicle is believed to be connected to Mullaney.
Investigation details
Although investigators recovered a projectile, they said no shell casing was found at the crime scene.
Detectives later executed search warrants at the motel and reportedly discovered drugs in pill and powder form inside one of the rooms.
Witnesses told police that a man calling himself “Bear,” believed to be Mullaney, approached them before the shooting. According to court records, he allegedly said he was a drug dealer searching for someone who owed him money and had been abusing a woman.
Witnesses said he told them he would make sure the man “never touched her again.”
Additional details about suspects
Court records describe Roussel as a friend of a key witness and place her at the motel in the hours leading up to the shooting, though authorities have not released details about her exact role in the incident.
When Mullaney was arrested on Wednesday, detectives noted he was carrying a dark-colored backpack, which investigators believe matched one worn by the shooter.
Mullaney is currently being held at the Maricopa County jail and has been denied bond because he was already on felony release at the time of the incident.
According to arrest records, Mullaney has multiple prior convictions, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal damage, shoplifting, and trafficking in stolen property.
