An Arizona man was arrested after allegedly shooting five people, killing four and wounding one on Friday and Saturday, police said.
Mesa Police Department officers Saturday arrested 20-year-old Iren Byers on four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.
On Friday night, police responded to the murder of a 41-year-old man in Beverly Park in Mesa, Arizona. Shortly thereafter, early Saturday morning, police heard gunfire nearby and responded by shooting dead a 36-year-old woman. She was taken to a local hospital and will be operated on for “serious injuries,” police said.
Just before 1 a.m., police responded to the killing of another 41-year-old man and an unidentified adult man.
Police reviewed video footage from Circle K and a Ring home camera to identify Byers, who was wearing the same clothing described by witnesses to the shooting.
When questioned, Byers admitted to the murders, police said. Police found the gun Byers allegedly used at his home in his grandmother’s room.
According to a probable cause statement obtained by police, Byers said he fatally shot the first three victims for reasons related to drug use — including because a man was smoking fentanyl, which Byers said he didn’t like because his brother “did the drug.” abused”. He said he shot the fourth victim because he was homeless and “not from the area.” After the victim fell down a hill, Byers reportedly “followed him to keep shooting.” Byers said he shot the fifth victim because she “driven him insane.”
Byers said he did not call for help for any of the victims and said none deserved it, according to his statement of probable cause.