On Saturday morning, November 11, 2023, a quiet neighborhood in Peoria, Arizona, was shattered by a violent home invasion that resulted in the deaths of a married couple.
Walter Mitchell, 52, and Susie Ephrem, 42, became victims in their own home, located near 79th and Peoria Avenues.
The incident occurred around 4 a.m. when an intruder broke into the couple’s home. In what appears to be a targeted attack, both Mitchell and Ephrem were shot. Mitchell died at the scene, while Ephrem, despite being rushed to the hospital, died from her injuries later.
The suspect remains at large, and the police are urging anyone with information to come forward. The authorities have emphasized that this was not a random act, suggesting that the couple may have been specifically targeted, although the motive behind this violent crime is still unclear.
The 911 call, made by Ephrem, reveals the dire nature of the situation as she reported being shot. Responding officers arrived at a distressing scene, finding both people with gunshot wounds.
The Peoria Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances of the incident, seeking to piece together what led to the fatal home invasion.
Law enforcement officials are calling on the public for help. Anyone with information about this incident should contact the Peoria Police Department.
Neighbors say that the couple had recently moved to the area.