In a west Phoenix strip mall parking lot on a Sunday afternoon, a violent encounter abruptly ended the life of 56-year-old John Kearns. The incident, which occurred around 3:15 p.m. near 51st Avenue and Indian School Road, escalated from an altercation to a fatal shooting. After being shot, Kearns was then tragically run over by the vehicle driven by his assailant.
First responders found him injured in the parking lot and rushed him to a nearby hospital, but he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
Witnesses at the scene provided crucial information to the Phoenix Police Department, which allowed detectives to swiftly identify a suspect. The investigation pointed to 27-year-old Amani Kheirollah as the individual responsible for the death of Kearns. This vital cooperation between the community and law enforcement was instrumental in the rapid progression of the case.
Just two days after the fatal incident, on May 31, 2022, officers with the Phoenix Police Department's Tactical Support Bureau located and arrested Amani Kheirollah without incident. Following his arrest, Kheirollah was booked on multiple felony charges, including second-degree murder, bringing a swift, albeit somber, resolution to the search for the person responsible for John Kearns' death.
