A simmering family argument in a north Phoenix home tragically boiled over into deadly violence on the evening of October 15, 2025, leaving 59-year-old Najbulla Rafie, a male, dead in the street. The dispute, which began inside the residence near 19th Street and Bell Road, escalated when 28-year-old Milad Rafie, Najbulla's stepson, produced a firearm.
The first victim of the eruption of violence was Milad's teenage brother, who was shot inside the house.
Following this, Milad went outside and shot his stepfather, Najbulla Rafie. Phoenix police responded to calls of a shooting at approximately 7:35 p.m. and discovered the teenager wounded near the home and Najbulla lying in the roadway with a fatal gunshot wound. Paramedics arrived and transported the teenager to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, but Najbulla Rafie was pronounced dead at the scene.
In the immediate aftermath of the shootings, Milad Rafie fled the scene on foot, prompting a search of the area. However, approximately 20 minutes later, as police were securing the scene, he returned and surrendered to the authorities without incident. Milad Rafie was subsequently arrested and has been booked on charges of second-degree murder and aggravated assault. The investigation into the circumstances that led to the fatal argument is ongoing.
