A celebratory mood at a graduation party in Mesa, Arizona, turned to one of horror on May 24, 2009, ending in the tragic death of 38-year-old Sally Johnston-Huddleston. The gathering, held in honor of her 17-year-old daughter, was shattered by the arrival of Johnston-Huddleston's ex-boyfriend, Brent Matthew Banks.
Witnesses reported that Banks became enraged after seeing Johnston-Huddleston in a romantic encounter with another man, 32-year-old Auston G. Blanks.
In a fit of jealousy, Banks first assaulted Johnston-Huddleston. He then retrieved two loaded handguns from his vehicle and returned to the party. He fatally shot Johnston-Huddleston in the back of the head as she knelt on the ground. Banks then shot and killed Blanks.
The violence escalated when Banks fired at responding Mesa police officers, injuring one officer who sustained a shattered arm bone that required multiple surgeries. After a prolonged standoff with SWAT officers, Banks surrendered and was taken into custody. He was subsequently charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of Johnston-Huddleston and Blanks, along with two counts of attempted first-degree murder and seven counts of aggravated assault. Prosecutors in Maricopa County announced their intention to seek the death penalty in the case.
