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.
