Arizona Man Shoots and Kills Stepfather After Argument Over Internet Outage, Police Say
PHOENIX, ARIZONA — A 31-year-old man is accused of shooting and killing his stepfather after an argument about a home internet outage escalated into a deadly confrontation Sunday evening, police said.
According to the Phoenix Police Department, officers were called to a home near 39th and Maryland avenues around 7:30 p.m. after Brandon Alvarez called 911 and reported that he had shot his stepfather, 57-year-old Jaunarius Moreno. When officers arrived, they found Moreno suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Internet Outage Sparks Deadly Dispute
According to a criminal complaint obtained by CBS affiliate KPHO, the deadly altercation began when the family’s internet connection was mistakenly cut off during the installation of a new service.
Family members reportedly knew that Alvarez would be upset about the outage, so they contacted Moreno — who was not home at the time — to handle the issue.
When Moreno returned, he became angry that Alvarez, his wife, and their two children were using the internet for free, according to investigators. He went to the backyard with a flashlight to inspect the connection, where Alvarez was sitting near a wood fire.
“Moreno dropped the flashlight and walked toward Alvarez with nothing in his hands in an aggressive manner,” police wrote in the complaint.
Alvarez allegedly responded by pulling out a gun and firing four times, striking Moreno multiple times.
Suspect Claimed He Feared for His Life
After the shooting, Alvarez reportedly told police that he feared his stepfather would attack him or take away his gun. He said he checked on his children, who were inside the home at the time, before placing the firearm in a bedroom and calling 911 to report the incident.
Detectives said Alvarez cooperated with officers when they arrived and admitted to the shooting.
Moreno, described by police as unarmed at the time of the incident, was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders.
Investigation and Charges
Police have not yet announced the formal charges against Alvarez, but the case is being investigated as a domestic homicide.
The argument, which began over a temporary internet disconnection, underscores how quickly family disputes can turn violent, authorities said.
“This tragedy highlights how domestic conflicts — even over something as small as internet service — can escalate to fatal consequences when a firearm is involved,” one investigator noted.
As the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office reviews the case for prosecution, community members in west Phoenix are expressing shock over the senseless killing. For continued updates on local crime and breaking public safety news across Arizona, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com.