Four people shot in Scottsdale in three days: Are they connected?

PHOENIX — Four people have been killed in Scottsdale since Thursday, police said.

Most recently, a man was shot inside a business complex near the corner of Mountain View and North Hayden Roads.

The man, 72-year-old Marshall Levine, was found in his office by an acquaintance around 12:10 a.m. on Saturday, Sgt. Ben Hoster said.

While police believe the Thursday shooting of a forensic psychiatrist and the Friday shooting of two paralegals were connected, they were unsure if the Saturday shooting at a Scottsdale business office was related.

“Right now, we do not know if the shooting, if the business behind us, is related to the previous two shootings, but we are working closely with Phoenix Police Department in all three of these cases,” Hoster said.

On Thursday, former forensic psychiatrist Dr. Steven Pitt, 59, was shot and killed near Scottsdale and Bell roads at the address of Steven Pitt & Associates.

He provided expertise in high-profile investigations including the JonBenet Ramsey murder, the Baseline Killer and the Columbine High School shooting.

Phoenix Police Sgt. Vince Lewis said an argument preceded the shooting.

“According to witnesses, there was a loud verbal argument heard outside of the office just before shots were fired,” Lewis said.

Pitt was announced dead on the scene.

On Friday, the two paralegals were killed in Old Town Scottsdale.

Veleria Sharp, 48, and Laura Anderson, 49, were shot at the law offices of Burt, Feldman, Greneir on First and 75th streets.

Hoster said the first victim was shot and then walked to a bus parked at an intersection for help. Officers followed a blood trail to the second victim, who had died.

The law firm that employed Sharp and Anderson released a statement on Saturday.

“Laura has worked with us as family for more than ten years. Her intellect, passion and friendship has meant more to us than we can even begin to convey. She was more than a coworker, she was a friend, a mother, grandmother, daughter and wife and gave all of herself to her family, her friends and her work.

“Veleria was a treasured member of our work family.  She brought joy, calmness, warmth and compassion to all that she did. She was a dedicated mother, wife and daughter.  She and her family shared a deep passion for music and their faith.”

Police described the suspect for the Old Town and Pitt shootings as an adult white male wearing a dark hat with a short brim. He is believed to be bald.

Police do not know if the suspect is connected to the Saturday shooting at the Scottsdale business center.

“We are still trying to determine what involvment, if any, it has,” Hoster said.

Anyone with information has been asked to contact authorities.

“We are asking the public to remain vigilant, and any tips or other information that might be out of the ordinary to please call 9-1-1,” Hoster said.

In addition, those with information were encouraged to contact Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (480-948-6377). Callers remain anonymous and could be rewarded up to $1,000.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Ali Vetnar and The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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