Homicide Arrest

On November 25, 2019 at approximately 4:00 pm Mesa Police were dispatched to Rotary Park located at 205 West 8th Ave in Mesa reference a subject stabbed and not breathing. Officers found a male victim lying on the concrete walkway not breathing, with a stab wound to the chest. The victim was transported to the hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.

Initial responding Officers located multiple transients in the park and asked if anyone saw anything. One of the males, later identified as Anthony Hollingshead, told the officer that he stabbed the victim while defending his wife and the knife used was in his pocket. The officer took the knife out of the defendant’s pocket and secured it. Hollingshead was transported to the Mesa Police station for an interview.

Hollingshead said he has hung out at the park almost every day for the past month and has had numerous run ins with the victim. Hollingshead said the victim has been harassing towards his wife and has tried to take items out of his cart full of personal belongings. Hollingshead admitted to being in an altercation with the victim and said he was punched so he automatically responded by punching back one time in the chest area. He admitted to having his fully extended knife in his hand at the time he punched back.

A search of the surrounding area and victim’s clothing was negative for any other weapons. Hollingshead’s story was not consistent with other witness accounts and he has been charged with one count of 2nd degree murder.

Homicide Arrest

On Monday November 11, 2019 at approximately 3:00 pm Mesa Police responded to the Windemere Motel, 5750 E. Main St. #204, regarding a female who stated she had been shot. Upon arrival officers located two gunshot victims inside the room, one adult male and one adult female. The male was pronounced deceased at the scene and the female was transported to the hospital with life threatening injuries.

The female stated a male named Tony shot them because he thought they stole his drugs. The defendant was identified as 44-year-old Anthony Wayne Gushee.
A search warrant was obtained at the crime scene and detectives located a quantity of crystal like substance that appeared to be methamphetamine packaged for sale as well as numerous syringes containing a liquid substance.

At approximately 11:50 pm detectives located Anthony at 9333 E Apache Trail where he was taken into custody without incident. Anthony said he goes by Tony and when asked about the crime he requested an attorney and invoked his right to remain silent. Anthony has a prior history of drug related offenses.

Anthony has been charged with one count of Second Degree Murder and one count of Aggravated Assault. The investigation remains ongoing.