In the quiet town of Buckeye, Arizona, a Father's Day morning took a tragic turn on June 21, 2026, ending in the death of 56-year-old Ewell Mccrae. At approximately 10:45 a.m., local police received calls reporting a shooting in a downtown neighborhood near 3rd Street and Centre Avenue. Upon their arrival, officers discovered Ewell Mccrae lying in the front yard of a residence, suffering from a single gunshot wound to the chest.
Despite immediate life-saving efforts by both police and fire personnel, including the application of a chest seal, Mccrae succumbed to his injury and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into the shooting quickly pointed to a familial dispute. Witnesses reported that the suspect, later identified as Ewell Mccrae's 57-year-old cousin, Roger Mccrae, had arrived at the home in a white Chevrolet Silverado. An argument and physical altercation then broke out between the two cousins. According to an eyewitness, Roger Mccrae was seen punching his cousin, who in turn attempted to throw a power tool. Following this, Roger allegedly retrieved a black handgun from his truck and shot his cousin once in the chest. He then reportedly fled the scene in his vehicle.
In a strange turn of events, not long after the shooting, police were notified that Roger Mccrae had gone to a nearby church. He left the church and later returned to the scene of the crime on foot, where he was detained by officers. An eyewitness positively identified him as the shooter. The pickup truck was located nearby and taken into evidence, though the handgun used in the shooting was not immediately found. Roger Mccrae was arrested and booked into jail on multiple felony charges, including second-degree murder, unlawful discharge of a firearm, and tampering with physical evidence. During a recorded interview, he denied any involvement in the incident. The case is currently moving through the legal system.
