Man charged with murder in 8 shooting deaths in Phoenix

PHOENIX — A suspect has been formally charged with murder in eight shooting deaths that occurred in metro Phoenix late last year.

Cleophus Cooksey Jr., 35, was initially arrested in December for allegedly killing his mother, Rene, and stepfather, Edward Nunn.

The indictment against Cooksey was filed Thursday but became publicly available Monday.

Police said nearly two months ago that Cooksey was responsible for fatally shooting nine people, though he’s charged in only eight killings.

The deaths occurred from late November until mid-December in Phoenix, Glendale and Avondale.

Investigators said Cooksey is linked to the killings through ballistics.

Police said it did not appear that Cooksey knew some of his alleged victims and were not certain of the motive in several of the murders. He will face murder, kidnapping and weapons misconduct charges, among others.

Cooksey previously pleaded not guilty in the deaths of his mother and stepfather.

He was released from prison in July for a manslaughter conviction for participating in a strip-club robbery where an accomplice was killed.

Cooksey’s attorney, Gary Beren, didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment late Monday afternoon.

Should Cooksey be convicted of the killings, that would likely make him the second prolific killer to have been active in the Valley in recent years.

Another man, Aaron Juan Saucedo, has been accused of murdering nine people and wounding two others in the Serial Street Shooter case.

Cooksey would also be one of the deadliest men in Arizona history.

Mark Goudeau, the Baseline Killer, was convicted of killing nine people in 2006.

Dale Hausner and Samuel Dieteman were convicted of murdering eight people also in 2006.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Related

Police charge possible Phoenix spree killer with nine murdersDave Ramsey says: You’re really just trading one expense for anotherDOJ monitoring polling sites for voting rights compliance in 3 Arizona counties on Election DayLive updates for Arizona’s 2026 primaries: DOJ says it’s watching polls in 3 counties‘We know it’s gonna be close,’ Gov. Katie Hobbs says as likely Andy Biggs matchup loomsTechnical issues disrupt a small number of Maricopa County voters on Election Day