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Five Arrested in Fatal Old Town Scottsdale Bar Attack as Suspect Faces Murder Charge

Police say the arrests followed search warrants in Phoenix, Chandler, Tempe.

Overview

  • Scottsdale police identified the suspects as Drew Meneses, Julius Husser, Tony Becker, Mark Whitford and Krista Molina.
  • Meneses, 24, was booked into Maricopa County Jail on second-degree murder and aggravated assault, while Husser, Becker and Whitford were booked on aggravated assault and Molina on assault and disorderly conduct.
  • Court documents say 29-year-old T.J. Pizzitola was escorted from Pattie’s earlier that night and was later punched from behind during an argument near the rideshare pickup, causing a severe head and neck injury.
  • Investigators say cell phone video reportedly captured portions of the assault, and the group involved left the scene before officers arrived.
  • Police reports state Pizzitola never regained consciousness and later died at the hospital, his organs were donated, and the investigation remains ongoing.