William Keckler, a 60-year-old White male, was tragically shot and killed in his Peoria, Arizona, home on August 28, 2023, in a shocking act of violence that also claimed the life of his 57-year-old wife, Tammi Keckler. The incident unfolded in the afternoon within the quiet confines of a gated community near Jomax Road and 80th Avenue, shattering the neighborhood's sense of peace.
The couple had been involved in an argument with Tammi's son, 33-year-old Zacchary Delane Sumrall, who lived with them. The dispute reportedly centered on Sumrall's financial habits and his failure to contribute to the household expenses.
The argument escalated to a fatal turning point when Sumrall, after being told to pack his belongings and leave, retrieved a handgun from his bedroom. When William Keckler followed his stepson and asked for the weapon, Sumrall opened fire, shooting him multiple times. Hearing the gunshots, Tammi Keckler began to scream. Sumrall then went downstairs and shot his mother several times as well. The aftermath of the violent outburst was chilling, as Sumrall himself contacted the authorities.
In a startling 911 call, Zacchary Sumrall informed the dispatcher that he had just shot and killed his parents, even stating that he had performed 'execution shots' on them. He placed the unloaded firearm on a table near the front door before walking outside to surrender to the responding Peoria Police officers. Upon his arrest, Sumrall spontaneously declared, 'I just killed my parents.' Inside the residence, police discovered the bodies of William and Tammi Keckler, both having sustained fatal gunshot wounds. Sumrall was taken into custody without incident and subsequently faced two counts of first-degree premeditated murder. During questioning, he admitted to the killings and disclosed his history of mental health issues.
