On the morning of May 21, 2026, a domestic disturbance in a Peoria, Arizona, residence escalated into a tragedy that claimed the life of 22-year-old Justice Parton. Police were dispatched to a home near 91st Avenue and Beardsley Road around 9:30 a.m. following reports of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they encountered a chaotic scene with multiple people outside the residence. Inside, officers discovered Parton, who had sustained a fatal gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The ensuing investigation quickly identified a suspect, who was not immediately present at the home.
The suspect was soon located and identified as 23-year-old Nickolas I. Benson. When confronted by law enforcement, Benson was armed with a firearm and appeared to be in the midst of a crisis. Officers were able to de-escalate the tense situation and take him into custody without further incident. It was later revealed that the tragedy was a family matter, as investigators learned that Benson and his victim, Justice Parton, were cousins. Two other individuals who were also inside the home at the time of the shooting were unharmed. Witnesses reported to investigators that Benson had video-called them after the shooting, allegedly showing Parton's body and threatening to harm himself. These witnesses also claimed Benson said Parton had told him to kill her.
Following his arrest, Nickolas Benson was booked into the Maricopa County Jail. He is facing several serious felony charges, including first-degree murder and manslaughter. His bond was set at $1 million as he awaits his initial court appearance. The investigation into the specific circumstances and motives leading to the fatal shooting is ongoing as detectives continue to process evidence and conduct interviews. The case represents a devastating instance of domestic violence within a family, leaving loved ones to grapple with the loss of a young woman and the serious criminal allegations against her cousin.
