Suspect charged with murder in shooting death of girlfriend in Phoenix

PHOENIX – A Glendale man was charged with first-degree murder Monday in the shooting death of his girlfriend in Phoenix over weekend, authorities said.

William Wickware, 58, is accused of killing Minh Thi Phan, 49, on Sunday night at a residence near Northern Avenue and Interstate 17, according to the Phoenix Police Department.

Wickware fled before officers responded to the home around 11:15 p.m., police said. Phan, who had a gunshot wound, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Witnesses said they heard Wickware and Phan arguing and a loud bang, according court documents.

Police tracked down the suspect and arrested him at his apartment near 67th and Glendale avenues around 11 a.m. Monday.

He told police he’d been in a relationship with the victim for several years, according to the probable cause statement. He said he accidentally shot Phan when he pointed a gun at her to scare her during an argument.

After getting a search warrant, police found what they believe to be the murder weapon, a .380 semi-automatic handgun, inside a pair of sneakers at a storage unit they said was used by the suspect.

Wickware’s bail was set for $1 million. His status conference in Maricopa County Superior Court was set for June 1, to be followed by a June 3 preliminary hearing.

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