Chandler man arrested in shooting death of homeless woman behind his home

Chandler resident James Taylor was arrested late Friday night and charged with first-degree murder after admitting to shooting and killing a 30-year-old woman in the alley behind his house, according to police.

Chandler police responded to reports of gunshots in the area of Arizona Avenue and Fairview Street around 9:30 a.m., according to Chandler police spokesperson Eva Zermeño.

Authorities found 30-year-old Jessica Luz with multiple gunshot wounds to the chest and one to the head in the alleyway upon arrival. She was given emergency medical treatment and taken immediately to a hospital where she died from her injuries.

An investigation revealed Luz was a homeless woman who was known to frequent the area. Luz was standing in the alley behind Taylor's home and Taylor was upset because his dogs were barking at Luz, according to police.

Taylor yelled at Luz to get out of the alley multiple times and Luz refused to leave, according to police.

Police said Taylor then went inside his home and retrieved a 9 mm handgun before telling Luz to leave again and reportedly threatening to shoot her if she refused. Luz refused again and Tayor proceeded to shoot her multiple times.

Witnesses reported seeing a man, who police later identified as Taylor, at the scene following the shooting. Police later observed Taylor, having matched the witness description, leaving the area of the shooting and walking into the backyard of a nearby residence.

Authorities then sent a SWAT team to surround the residence. Phone contact was made with Taylor, who was still inside the residence. Taylor immediately asked negotiators if the woman he shot had died, according to police reports.

Taylor agreed to exit the residence after speaking with negotiators, reportedly saying he was upset because of a failed suicide attempt the night prior, police said, and the suspect later admitted to shooting Luz in a post-arrest interview.

Alongside the first-degree murder charge, Taylor was also charged with possession of a weapon by a prohibited possessor. Further investigation revealed the charge was based on a prior felony conviction that left Taylor without the right to own a gun.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: James Taylor of Chandler arrested in shooting death of Jessica Luz