Man arrested in Tempe on suspicion of first-degree murder of girlfriend

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — A man has been arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of his girlfriend at a Tempe apartment complex’s clubhouse, police said Monday.

They said 23-year-old Mason Nez was booked into jail on suspicion of first-degree murder.

It was unclear Monday if Nez has a lawyer yet who can speak on his behalf about the case.

Police said Nez was found early Sunday morning covered in blood and holding the victim, identified as 23-year-old Tammy Begay.

Nez, Begay and another couple were hanging out in the clubhouse of their apartment complex Saturday night when Nez allegedly attacked his girlfriend with a pocket knife for an unknown reason, according to witnesses.

The other couple ran from the clubhouse and immediately called police.

Court records show the incident was captured on surveillance camera.

Police said Begay was rushed to a hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

During an interview with detectives, court records show Nez told police he could not remember how much alcohol he drank that night and he had no memory of what happened in the clubhouse.