Two Dead in Murder-Suicide Shooting

Cooper Hoskyns, 32, was fatally shot by 34-year-old Sean Bertz in a violent argument. The murder-suicide occurred Sunday morning when Phoenix police responded to a report of a fight between two men near Baseline Road and 51st Avenue in the Laveen neighborhood of Phoenix.

The police investigation determined that Bertz shot Hoskyns when he was entering the residence from the backyard. Bertz then shot himself.

When police arrived they found Hoksyns dead on the scene and Bertz was still alive with a gunshot wound. Bertz was transported to a hospital, where he passed away from his injuries.

Hoskyns’ family said that he and his fiancé, who also lived in the home, had tried to get Bertz help. His uncle, Will Hoskyns, said his nephew was at “such happy time in his life” and planned to get married next summer to his girlfriend of several years.

Authorities are still investigating the murder-suicide and ask anyone with details to contact the Phoenix police.