Tempe man said wife ‘startled’ him before fatal shooting

PHOENIX – Police in Tempe arrested a man who said he shot and killed his wife after she “startled” him while he was sleeping last week.

Christopher Hoopes, 36, called 911 to say he shot Colleen Hoopes, 25, in their home near Mill Avenue and Apache Boulevard around 3:30 a.m. Friday, the Tempe Police Department said.

“Initially, he had told our dispatchers that it was an accident – he woke up and was startled and he fired his weapon,” Sgt. Hector Encinas told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

Officers and medical personnel arrived at the scene to find the woman inside the home with two gunshot wounds in her upper torso.

Colleen Hoopes, 25, a dancer with Ballet Arizona, was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Investigators developed cause to book Christopher Hoopes on counts of second-degree murder and unlawful discharge of weapons.

“We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of company dancer Colleen Hoopes,” Ballet Arizona said in an email.

“Colleen was an integral part of the Ballet Arizona family and will be missed deeply. She was passionate and dedicated to her artform and a bright light to us all. Our hearts go out to her loved ones.”

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Taylor Kinnerup contributed to this report.

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