In the early morning hours of November 30, 2024, a verbal dispute in a Phoenix, Arizona, parking lot escalated into a fatal shooting that claimed the life of 53-year-old Maurice Stewart. The incident occurred at approximately 1:40 a.m. near the 2400 block of East Van Buren Street. Responding to a call about the shooting, police officers discovered Stewart at the scene suffering from gunshot wounds.
He was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition, but tragically, he did not survive his injuries.
Phoenix police detectives quickly launched an investigation into the homicide. Investigators were able to identify a vehicle that fled the scene and began canvassing known areas in the vicinity. Their search led them to 20-year-old Nicholas Rutledge. When officers attempted to make contact with Rutledge, he fled on foot. A brief chase ensued before officers were able to apprehend him and take him into custody without further incident.
Following the arrest, detectives took over the investigation and determined that a verbal argument had preceded the deadly shooting. Nicholas Rutledge was subsequently booked into jail and is facing a charge of first-degree murder in connection with the death of Maurice Stewart.
