In the fall of 2015, a promising young man's life was cut tragically short in what would become a grim headline in Scottsdale, Arizona. Keaton Litke, a 23-year-old male, was killed on November 9, 2015, the victim of a brutal double homicide. The incident unfolded within the confines of the Park Scottsdale Apartments, located near Hayden and Thomas Roads, a place that Litke and his roommate were leasing.
On that Monday evening, around 6 p.m., law enforcement responded to a call that led them to a gruesome discovery. Inside one of the apartment units, they found Keaton Litke and 25-year-old Martin Ellison, both suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. One of the men was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The initial investigation painted a picture of a violent encounter, with police describing the shooters as a white male and a black male, both clad in black clothing.
The senseless act left friends and family grappling with an immense loss. Litke, who had just turned 22 six days prior to his death, was remembered as a beloved son, a wonderful brother, and a truly caring person with a kind heart. His obituary spoke of an unwavering bond with his younger brother and the profound void his absence created.
Days turned into a week and a half of uncertainty until the Scottsdale Police Department announced a significant breakthrough in the case. On November 20, 2015, two individuals were taken into custody in connection with the double murder. The suspects were identified as 20-year-old Michael Aston and a juvenile male whose name was not released. Both were charged with homicide and additional felony counts, bringing a measure of resolution to a community shaken by the violence that had claimed the lives of two young men.
