Phoenix man accused of fatally attacking elderly roommate with construction helmet arrested

An argument over an electric bill escalated into a fatal assault with a construction helmet, according to the Phoenix Police Department.

Troy Yazzie, 31, was arrested in connection with the incident, which took place April 30.

Manuel Martinez, 76, called police to an apartment complex near Hazelwood Street and 23rd Avenue, east of Interstate 17, at 10:30 p.m.

Martinez told police he had been arguing with his roommate, Yazzie, over the bill. Responding officers learned that an attack with a construction helmet had injured Martinez’s head and face.

Man accused of assaulting elderly roommate with construction helmet arrested in Flagstaff

Yazzie allegedly fled the scene before police arrived. Martinez gave police a statement before he was taken to a hospital for his injuries, but he died more than two months later, on July 11, police said.

Detectives from the Violent Crimes Bureau Homicide Unit then took over the investigation.

Yazzie allegedly moved to Flagstaff during the investigation. Coordination between detectives from the Phoenix Police Department’s Crime Impact Unit and the Flagstaff Police Department led to Yazzie’s arrest Tuesday.

Phoenix police officers traveled to Flagstaff to bring Yazzie back to Phoenix, where he now faces one count of second-degree murder.

He is currently being held on a $1 million bond.

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