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Narrator: A SHOTGUN BLAST...
PIERCES THE ARIZONA NIGHT.
[ SIREN WAILS ]
A YOUNG GIRL IS LEFT TO DIE IN THE STREETS.
Schwartzkopf: SHE WAS THE VICTIM OF A SAVAGE SLAYING
THAT REALLY SHOCKED THE CONSCIENCE.
Narrator: THERE ARE FEW CLUES...
SHE WAS PROBABLY SHOT FROM A DISTANCE LESS THAN 10 FEET.
Narrator: ...AND NO WITNESSES.
Schwartzkopf: WAS IT SOMEBODY THAT SHE KNEW,
OR WAS IT SOMEBODY SHE JUST MET, OR WAS IT FAMILY?
Narrator: POLICE LAUNCH A MASSIVE INVESTIGATION,
WHICH ONLY WHETS AN UNUSUAL KILLER'S TASTE FOR BLOOD.
PEOPLE WERE DROPPING DEAD ON THE STREET BEING SHOT.
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
Narrator: SPRING 2006, SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA.
20-YEAR-OLD CLAUDIA GUTIERREZ-CRUZ
AND HER SISTER ADRIANA ARE AMBITIOUS,
HARDWORKING YOUNG WOMEN.
I HAVE YOUR DRINKS.
Narrator: THEY EACH WORK TWO RESTAURANT JOBS,
SHARE A MODEST APARTMENT, AND RIDE THE BUS TO SAVE MONEY.
Interpreter: CLAUDIA WAS MY SUPER SISTER.
SHE WAS THE BEST. SHE WAS MY BEST FRIEND.
EVEN THOUGH SHE WAS YOUNGER,
SHE ALWAYS GAVE ME ADVICE AND TOLD ME WHAT NOT TO DO.
Narrator: AROUND 7:30 P.M. ON THE NIGHT OF MAY 2nd...
I'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.
...CLAUDIA LEAVES HER JOB AT AN UPSCALE NIGHTCLUB.
SHE CATCHES HER FIRST BUS...
...BUT MISSES A CONNECTING BUS
THAT WILL TAKE HER ALL THE WAY HOME.
Schwartzkopf: SO, CLAUDIA TOOK OFF WALKING
WESTBOUND DOWN THOMAS ROAD ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE STREET.
Narrator: IT'S A THREE-MILE TREK
THAT SHOULD GET HER HOME IN ABOUT 45 MINUTES,
BUT CLAUDIA NEVER MAKES IT.
AT ABOUT 10:25 P.M.,
A CAR SLOWLY APPROACHES FROM BEHIND HER.
THEN, OUT OF THE BLUE,
A DEAFENING BLAST BLOWS HER OFF HER FEET.
[ CLAUDIA GROANS ]
Narrator: CLAUDIA HAS BEEN HIT WITH A SHOTGUN SHELL
CONTAINING OVER 100 BIRD-SHOT PELLETS.
SHE IS LOSING BLOOD FAST.
Schwartzkopf: THE SCENE OF HER SHOOTING
WAS IN FRONT OF A SMALL BUSINESS COMPLEX,
AND THERE WAS ABOUT A SIX-FOOT GRASSY KNOLL
NEXT TO A SIDEWALK.
EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT SHE WENT DOWN IN THAT KNOLL.
Narrator: BARELY CONSCIOUS,
CLAUDIA CLAWS HER WAY DOWN THE GRASS AND INTO THE STREET.
PASSING MOTORISTS STOP AND CALL 911.
WE NEED HELP. A GIRL'S BEEN SHOT.
AS SHE LIES IN THE STREET,
CLAUDIA MANAGES TO WHISPER A NAME --
FELIX SADA, HER BOYFRIEND.
Schwartzkopf: THERE WAS NO WITNESSES TO THE INCIDENT.
THERE WERE NO WITNESSES THAT HEARD A SHOT FIRED.
THEY'D ALL JUST STOPPED TO GIVE AID.
Narrator: RUSHED TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL,
CLAUDIA GOES INTO SHOCK IN THE AMBULANCE.
[ MONITOR BEEPING ]
SHE DIES DURING EMERGENCY SURGERY THAT NIGHT.
[ FLATLINE ]
[ PHONE RINGS ]
HELLO?
Narrator: HER OLDER SISTER, ADRIANA,
GETS THE WORST CALL OF HER LIFE.
Interpreter: MY FIRST THOUGHTS WERE MY PARENTS.
WHAT WAS I GOING TO TELL MY PARENTS, MY BROTHERS?
WHAT WAS I GOING TO DO?
I WAS ALONE.
IT WAS ONLY HER AND I, SO I JUST DON'T KNOW.
Narrator: JUST SIX MONTHS EARLIER,
CLAUDIA LEFT HER NATIVE MEXICO
TO JOIN ADRIANA IN THE UNITED STATES.
Schwartzkopf: SHE WAS A HARDWORKING KID,
AND LIKE MILLIONS OF IMMIGRANTS,
SHE CAME HERE TRYING TO LOOK FOR A BETTER LIFE.
SHE WAS EMPLOYED. SHE HAD TWO DIFFERENT JOBS.
SHE WORKED AT A NIGHTCLUB. SHE WORKED AT A COFFEE SHOP.
HER BOSSES ALL SAID THAT SHE WAS A GREAT WORKER,
ALWAYS ON TIME, VERY RELIABLE.
SHE WAS A GOOD KID,
AND SHE WAS THE VICTIM OF A SAVAGE SLAYING.
[ POLICE RADIO CHATTER ]
Narrator: POLICE QUICKLY LEARN
THAT CLAUDIA UTTERED HER BOYFRIEND'S NAME
AS SHE LAY DYING ON THE STREET.
THEY CAN ONLY WONDER IF SHE WAS REACHING OUT
TO THE ONE SHE LOVED OR I.D.ing HER KILLER.
CLAUDIA HAD ONLY BEEN DATING FELIX SADA FOR THREE MONTHS,
BUT EVEN IN THAT TIME,
FRIENDS AND COWORKERS TALK ABOUT PROBLEMS BETWEEN THE PAIR.
DO YOU KNOW IF CLAUDIA AND FELIX HAD ANY FIGHTS OR ARGUMENTS?
YEAH.
AND CLAUDIA HERSELF
HAD DESCRIBED THE RELATIONSHIP AS "ROCKY."
ON THE LAST NIGHT OF CLAUDIA'S LIFE,
SHE DEVIATED FROM HER USUAL ROUTINE.
SHE WASN'T SCHEDULED TO WORK THAT NIGHT
BUT ENDED UP FILLING IN FOR ANOTHER EMPLOYEE.
AND A BRANDY FOR YOU.
SHE ALSO LEFT MUCH EARLIER THAN HER NORMAL SHIFT
AFTER RECEIVING A MYSTERIOUS PHONE CALL.
Schwartzkopf: DID SHE ACTUALLY MEET SOMEBODY?
DID SHE, IN FACT, FLAT-OUT LIE ABOUT WHERE SHE WAS GOING
IN ANY OTHER RELATIONSHIPS THAT SHE MAY HAVE HAD AT THE TIME?
Narrator: COWORKERS WHO OBSERVED THAT FINAL CALL
SAY IT WAS A HEATED CONVERSATION.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, OKAY?
Schwartzkopf: WHO WAS IT THAT UPSET HER?
WAS IT SOMEBODY THAT SHE KNEW, OR WAS IT SOMEBODY SHE JUST MET,
OR WAS IT FAMILY, AND WAS SHE GOING TO MEET SOMEBODY?
Narrator: DETECTIVES SUSPECT
THE PERSON ON THE OTHER END WAS SADA...
AND WHAT ABOUT THAT GUY AT WORK, HUH?
...AND THAT IT WAS ANOTHER ONE OF THE COUPLE'S FIGHTS.
THERE'S NO GUY AT WORK.
HAD SOMETHING HAPPENED IN THEIR RELATIONSHIP
THAT NIGHT THAT CAUSED CLAUDIA'S UNPREDICTABLE BEHAVIOR?
AND WAS THE RIFT BETWEEN THEM
ENOUGH TO DRAW FATAL FIRE FROM HER ANGRY BOYFRIEND?
[ SCREAMS ]
Narrator: WHEN THEY BRING SADA INTO THE STATION,
HE SEEMS GENUINELY BROKEN UP ABOUT CLAUDIA'S DEATH.
AND I LOVED HER.
HE WAS COMPLETELY COOPERATIVE WITH THE INVESTIGATION.
CAN YOU TELL ME WHERE YOU WERE ON MAY 2nd?
Narrator: SADA HAS WHAT SEEMS TO BE THE PERFECT ALIBI.
HE TELLS POLICE THAT HE WAS SOUND ASLEEP
WHEN HIS ROOMMATE WOKE HIM UP...
WHAT?
THE PHONE'S FOR YOU.
...WITH A PHONE CALL FROM THE SCENE OF CLAUDIA'S ***.
THIS IS FELIX.
Salazar: HE LEARNS OF CLAUDIA'S SHOOTING
WITHIN A RELATIVELY SHORT TIME AFTER THE SHOOTING.
Narrator: HE COULDN'T BE IN TWO PLACES AT ONCE, OR COULD HE?
POLICE RE-CREATE A SCENARIO IN WHICH SADA SHOOTS CLAUDIA...
...THEN RACES HOME SIX MILES AWAY,
CURLS UP IN BED JUST IN TIME TO RECEIVE THE PHONE CALL...
THIS IS FELIX.
...TELLING HIM ABOUT CLAUDIA'S SHOOTING.
NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES THEY ATTEMPT IT,
DETECTIVES ARE UNABLE TO MAKE THE TRIP
IN THE WINDOW OF TIME BETWEEN THE SHOOTING AND THE PHONE CALL.
SADA'S ALIBI IS IRON-CLAD.
HE ISN'T THE SHOOTER.
DETECTIVE SALAZAR.
INVESTIGATORS NOW DIG DEEPER
INTO THE LIFE OF THE HARDWORKING YOUNG WOMAN
IN THEIR SEARCH FOR SUSPECTS.
WE'RE GONNA GET ON THAT.
WE TRIED TO LEARN EVERYTHING ABOUT HER
THAT WE POSSIBLY COULD --
PEOPLE SHE WORKED WITH,
FRIENDS SHE'D COMMUNICATED WITH THROUGH HER TWO DIFFERENT JOBS.
THEY VETTED EVERYONE THAT WAS CLOSE TO CLAUDIA,
INCLUDING HER FAMILY, AND THEY JUST CAME UP EMPTY.
[ SPEAKS SPANISH ]
Interpreter: WE DON'T HAVE ENEMIES
OR ANYBODY WHO WOULD DO THAT TO US.
Man: THAT'S THE ACTUAL SIDEWALK WHERE SHE WAS SHOT.
Narrator: POLICE TURN TO THE CRIME SCENE
FOR ANY CLUES THAT MIGHT LEAD THEM
TO THE IDENTITY OF THE BRAZEN SHOOTER.
I THINK THE SHOT CAME FROM OVER HERE.
THERE'S NO PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
OTHER THAN CLAUDIA'S BLOOD TRAIL.
IN HER POCKETS, THEY FIND $30
AND A TRANSFER FOR THE BUS
THAT WOULD HAVE TAKEN HER SAFELY HOME
HAD SHE NOT MISSED HER CONNECTION.
POSSIBLY A VEHICLE PULLED UP ALONGSIDE HER
AND SHOT HER AT CLOSE RANGE.
SUCH CLOSE RANGE THAT A FRAGMENT OF THE SHELL CASING
WAS EMBEDDED IN CLAUDIA'S BODY.
WE IMMEDIATELY SECURED THAT PIECE OF EVIDENCE,
TOOK IT STRAIGHT TO THE CRIME LAB,
AND HAD OUR BALLISTICS/FIREARMS EXPERT ANALYZE IT,
AND IT WAS IDENTIFIED AS A .410 SHOTGUN.
Narrator: A .410 SHOTGUN IS A HIGHLY UNUSUAL *** WEAPON.
IT'S THE SMALLEST-GAUGE SHOTGUN SOLD
AND IS OFTEN USED AS A TRAINING WEAPON
BECAUSE OF ITS MINIMAL RECOIL.
BUT, AT CLOSE RANGE, IT'S A POWERFUL KILLING MACHINE.
[ TIRES SQUEAL ]
JUST THROUGH SOME EXPERIENCE
AND HAVING BEEN AROUND SHOTGUNS
INDICATED TO ME THAT SHE WAS PROBABLY SHOT FROM A DISTANCE
LESS THAN 10 FEET.
Narrator: KNOWING THE *** WEAPON
DOESN'T GET THEM ANY CLOSER TO SOLVING CLAUDIA'S CASE.
THERE ARE MILLIONS OF .410 SHOTGUNS IN CIRCULATION
THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.
AS SCOTTSDALE HOMICIDE DETECTIVES WORK THE CASE,
A SEPARATE TEAM OF DETECTIVES IN PHOENIX, JUST 10 MILES AWAY,
IS TACKLING THEIR OWN VIOLENT CRIME WAVE...
...A YEAR-LONG EPIDEMIC
OF SEEMINGLY RANDOM DRIVE-BY SHOOTINGS.
WE LEARNED THAT NUMEROUS PEOPLE WERE BEING SHOT.
Narrator: THE M.O. IS VIRTUALLY THE SAME IN ALL THE SHOOTINGS --
TWO INDIVIDUALS FIRING A SINGLE SHOT FROM A MOVING VEHICLE.
THEY TARGET INDIVIDUALS BY THEMSELVES
UNDER THE COVER OF DARKNESS,
AND THEY WERE VERY GOOD AND THEY WERE VERY STEALTH.
Narrator: THIS DEADLY DUO IS RESPONSIBLE
FOR AT LEAST 10 SHOOTINGS, INCLUDING 6 FATALITIES.
BUT THERE'S ONE IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE
IN CLAUDIA'S *** -- THE WEAPON ITSELF.
THE PHOENIX VICTIMS WERE SHOT BY A .22-CALIBER RIFLE,
NOT A .410 SHOTGUN.
TYPICALLY, SERIAL KILLERS DON'T CHANGE THEIR WEAPON,
BUT IT WASN'T IMPOSSIBLE.
WE TOOK A GUESS THAT MAYBE THE KILLER GOT HINKED UP --
A TERM WE USE -- GOT NERVOUS,
AND WENT TO A DIFFERENT TYPE OF WEAPON.
Narrator: IN FACT, THE PHOENIX SHOOTERS
HAD USED A DIFFERENT WEAPON ON ONE OF THEIR VICTIMS
JUST SIX MONTHS EARLIER,
AND IT WAS A .410 SHOTGUN,
JUST LIKE THE ONE THAT KILLED CLAUDIA.
DETECTIVES NOW STRONGLY SUSPECT
THAT CLAUDIA GUTIERREZ-CRUZ IS THE SEVENTH FATALITY
IN A SERIAL KILLING SPREE
SPREADING ACROSS THE PHOENIX AREA,
AND THE MERCILESS KILLERS MAY JUST BE GETTING STARTED.
COMING UP,
A DIRE WARNING GOES OUT TO MORE
THAN 4 MILLION ARIZONA RESIDENTS.
IF YOU'RE OUT BY YOURSELF, YOU'RE A TARGET.
IF YOU'RE RIDING A BICYCLE...
[ GUNSHOT ]
...DON'T DO IT.
Narrator: IN SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA,
20-YEAR-OLD CLAUDIA GUTIERREZ-CRUZ WORKED TWO JOBS,
DREAMING OF A BETTER LIFE.
I HAVE YOUR LEMON DROP.
ON THE NIGHT OF MAY 2, 2006,
THOSE DREAMS WERE SHATTERED
WHEN SHE WAS GUNNED DOWN ON A SIDEWALK AND LEFT TO DIE.
[ GROANS ]
Narrator: DETECTIVES NOW BELIEVE
CLAUDIA IS THE SEVENTH FATALITY OF A PAIR OF KILLERS
THEY'RE CALLING THE PHOENIX SERIAL SHOOTERS.
THE TWO GUNMEN HAVE BEEN COMMITTING
RANDOM DRIVE-BY SHOOTINGS THROUGHOUT METROPOLITAN PHOENIX,
ALWAYS AT NIGHT.
PEOPLE WERE DROPPING DEAD ON THE STREET
BEING SHOT OR BEING WOUNDED BY BULLETS
THAT THEY HAD NO IDEA WHERE THEY WERE COMING FROM.
Narrator: AFTER CLAUDIA'S ***,
THE PHOENIX SERIAL SHOOTERS GO INTO OVERDRIVE.
FROM MAY TO JULY 2006,
THERE ARE MORE THAN A DOZEN ADDITIONAL DRIVE-BY SHOOTINGS.
NONE OF THE HITS ARE FATAL,
BUT THE SPREE RATCHETS UP A CITYWIDE PANIC.
WE PUT IT ON THE MEDIA -- "LISTEN, HERE'S WHAT THEY DO.
"IF YOU'RE OUT BY YOURSELF
"AND YOU'RE ON A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE, YOU'RE A TARGET.
"IF YOU'RE RIDING A BICYCLE
"BY YOURSELF UNDER THE COVER OF DARKNESS,
"YOU'RE A TARGET.
DON'T DO IT."
[ TELEPHONE RINGS ]
Salazar: THE CHIEFS OF THE AGENCIES INVOLVED SAID,
"WE'RE GONNA COMMIT ALL OUR RESOURCES,
AND WE'RE GONNA THROW EVERYTHING AT THIS."
Narrator: LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL LAW-ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
JOIN TOGETHER TO CREATE A SERIAL-KILLER TASK FORCE.
....410 SHOTGUN.
UP TO 70 FULL-TIME INVESTIGATORS EXAMINE EVERY ANGLE OF THE CASE.
THE GUNMAN LEFT BEHIND NUMEROUS EYEWITNESSES,
INCLUDING THE SURVIVORS OF THE SHOOTINGS.
I GOT HIT.
THEY DESCRIBED THE KILLERS AS WHITE MALES,
LIKELY DRIVING A LIGHT-COLORED FOUR-DOOR SEDAN,
POSSIBLY A TOYOTA CAMRY.
ONE CHILLING DETAIL --
THE PHOENIX SERIAL SHOOTERS
APPEAR TO ENJOY WATCHING THEIR VICTIMS SUFFER,
AS IF IT WERE A SPECTATOR SPORT.
Man: [ Laughing ] NICE.
Schwartzkopf: ONCE THEY FIRED THE SHOT,
THEY WEREN'T IN A PANIC TO GET OUT OF THERE.
Man: SEE HIM SPINNING?
THEY STOOD FAST AND BASICALLY WATCHED
TO SEE IF THE VICTIM WENT DOWN
AND THEN, VERY CALMLY, JUST TOOK OFF LIKE NOTHING HAD HAPPENED.
...FIRE OR SOMETHING.
...SURVEILLANCE AREAS.
Narrator: AUTHORITIES RUN DOWN THE LIST OF VICTIMS
TO SEE IF THEY SHARE ANY COMMON THREAD,
BUT THE DEAD AND WOUNDED INCLUDE MEN AND WOMEN
OF DIFFERENT AGES AND ETHNICITIES,
SCATTERED IN RANDOM NEIGHBORHOODS
THROUGHOUT THE PHOENIX AREA.
WITH NO DISCERNIBLE PATTERN,
THE TASK FORCE WILL HAVE TO CAST A WIDE NET.
WE PUT A PLETHORA OF MANPOWER IN UNDERCOVER UNITS,
PLAINCLOTHES DETECTIVES,
UNMARKED VEHICLES,
AND THEIR JOB WAS TO LOCATE SUSPICIOUS INDIVIDUALS.
LEAVING THE PARKING LOT NOW.
Narrator: SURPRISINGLY, IT'S AN OFFICER OUT IN PLAIN SIGHT
WHO NETS THEIR FIRST TANGIBLE LEAD.
HEY, BRO, HOW'S IT GOING, MAN?
Schwartzkopf: THIS INDIVIDUAL COMES UP, AND OUT OF THE CLEAR BLUE,
HE STARTS ASKING THE PATROL OFFICER
ABOUT THE SERIAL-SHOOTER CASE.
I WAS WONDERING IF YOU GUYS GOT ANY NEW LEADS
ON THOSE SERIAL SHOOTERS.
Narrator: THE OFFICER POLITELY GOES ALONG,
UNTIL WHAT HAD BEGUN AS SMALL TALK
TURNS MORE AND MORE SUSPICIOUS.
WOULDN'T HAPPEN TO KNOW IF A .410 SHOTGUN WAS USED
IN ANY OF THOSE CRIMES?
Schwartzkopf: THE OFFICER'S EARS PERK UP,
AND IT WAS LIKE, "WHAT DID YOU JUST ASK?"
NOBODY KNEW WHAT THE CALIBER OF THE WEAPON WAS
THAT THE SHOOTERS WERE USING.
THAT WAS ONLY TASK-FORCE-KNOWN.
SO THE FACT THAT HE CAME UP AND ASKED, IN FACT,
IF A .410 WAS BEING USED WAS A HUGE RED FLAG.
Narrator: THE OFFICER JUST LISTENS,
BUT HE LEARNS THAT THE MAN'S NAME IS CEDRIC BECKSTEIN,
AND HE'S CLEARLY FAMILIAR WITH FIREARMS.
I'M A GUN ENTHUSIAST MYSELF.
IS BECKSTEIN FISHING FOR INFORMATION
TO SEE IF THE POLICE ARE CLOSING IN ON HIM?
THEN THE OFFICER NOTICES BECKSTEIN'S CAR.
Schwartzkopf: WHICH JUST HAPPENS TO BE
A LATE-'90s-MODEL SILVER-IN-COLOR TOYOTA.
SO, AGAIN, RED FLAG COMES UP,
AND THIS INDIVIDUAL IN THE PASSENGER SEAT
IS MAKING NO EYE CONTACT WHATSOEVER.
TASK FORCE, THIS IS FERRIS.
Narrator: THE OFFICER CALLS IN THE PLATES
AND QUICKLY LEARNS THAT THE VEHICLE IS, INDEED,
REGISTERED TO CEDRIC BECKSTEIN.
Schwartzkopf: WE FIND OUT WHERE HE LIVES.
IMMEDIATELY, I EMPLOY A SURVEILLANCE UNIT
TO START WATCHING HIM.
Narrator: THE TASK FORCE DISCOVERS
THAT BECKSTEIN WORKS PART-TIME AT A LOCAL NIGHTCLUB,
WITH PLENTY OF FREE TIME ON HIS NIGHTS OFF.
Schwartzkopf: THEN WE DECIDE TO PUT A GPS UNIT ON HIS VEHICLE
TO SEE JUST, IN FACT, WHAT HE'S DOING AND WHAT HE'S UP TO
AND WHERE HE'S GOING,
AND ESPECIALLY WHAT TIME DOES HE TRAVEL?
Narrator: THEY TRACK BECKSTEIN'S EVERY MOVE
BUT FIND NOTHING TO RAISE FURTHER SUSPICION.
THEN, ON THE NIGHT OF JULY 11, 2006,
A MAN WALKS DOWN MOUNTAIN VIEW ROAD
IN NEARBY GLENDALE, ARIZONA,
AND THE PHOENIX SERIAL SHOOTERS STRIKE AGAIN.
[ GUNSHOT ]
PHOENIX POLICE INVESTIGATOR CLARK SCHWARTZKOPF
HAS JUST ONE QUESTION.
WHERE IS CEDRIC BECKSTEIN?
[ GUNSHOT ]
COMING UP,
HAVE THE SERIAL SHOOTERS ADDED ROBBERY TO THEIR DEADLY RéSUMé?
Man: WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN HERE?
HE'S WILLING TO CUT HIMSELF A DEAL
TO TALK ABOUT THESE PARTICULAR MURDERS,
SO WE'RE PRETTY EXCITED.
Narrator: FOR OVER A YEAR,
THE PHOENIX AREA HAS BEEN UNDER SIEGE.
A PAIR OF RUTHLESS, COLD-BLOODED GUNMEN,
DUBBED THE PHOENIX SERIAL SHOOTERS,
HAVE KILLED SEVEN PEOPLE AND LEFT 16 INJURED
IN RANDOM DRIVE-BY SHOOTINGS.
THE MOST RECENT FATALITY
IS 20-YEAR-OLD CLAUDIA GUTIERREZ-CRUZ,
SHOT AND KILLED ON HER WAY HOME FROM WORK.
PEOPLE WERE AFRAID TO GO OUT.
THEY WERE AFRAID FOR THEIR CHILDREN.
THERE WAS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF FEAR THROUGHOUT MARICOPA COUNTY.
Narrator: IN JULY 2006,
INVESTIGATORS HAVE A SUSPECT IN THEIR SIGHTS --
CEDRIC BECKSTEIN,
WHO SEEMS TO HAVE DETAILS ABOUT THE SHOOTINGS NO ONE ELSE KNOWS.
WOULDN'T HAPPEN TO HAVE BEEN A .410 SHOTGUN
USED IN THOSE CRIMES, WOULD IT?
BECKSTEIN IS PLACED UNDER SURVEILLANCE.
THEN, LESS THAN 48 HOURS LATER,
THE DETECTIVES' WORST NIGHTMARE...
[ GUNSHOT ]
...ANOTHER LATE-NIGHT SHOOTING.
THIS TIME, THE GUNMEN MISSED THEIR TARGET,
A 33-YEAR-OLD WHITE MALE.
INVESTIGATORS RUSH TO CONFIRM BECKSTEIN'S WHEREABOUTS.
Schwartzkopf: WE'RE ABLE TO GO BACK,
AND WE PULL THIS INDIVIDUAL'S GPS READOUTS
AND FIND OUT THAT HE WAS NOT ANYWHERE CLOSE TO THE AREA.
Narrator: BECKSTEIN IS ELIMINATED AS A SUSPECT.
EVEN WITH A MASSIVE POLICE TASK FORCE ON THE HUNT,
THE PHOENIX SERIAL SHOOTERS DON'T LET UP.
ON JULY 22, 2006,
THEY SHOOT A HISPANIC MALE RIDING HIS BICYCLE.
HE SURVIVES...BARELY.
Schwartzkopf: THE ANXIETY LEVEL IS HIGH
BECAUSE THE SHOOTINGS ARE STILL CONTINUING.
THE CITY'S ON EDGE.
EVERYBODY IS WORRIED.
WE HAVE NATIONAL NEWS MEDIA NOW,
INTERNATIONAL NEWS MEDIA LOOKING AT THESE CASES.
Narrator: IN THE MIDST OF THE MEDIA FRENZY,
THE TASK FORCE GETS A PROMISING LEAD.
DETECTIVE SCHWARTZKOPF.
AND IT COMES FROM A DETECTIVE ON AN UNRELATED CASE.
I GET A PHONE CALL FROM A ROBBERY DETECTIVE THAT SAYS,
"HEY, CLARK, WE GOT A GUY DOWN HERE
THAT'S TALKING ABOUT SERIAL MURDERS IN 2005."
Narrator: THE GUY IS ACE BASSLER,
AND HE'S JUST BEEN ARRESTED FOR A SERIES OF TAXICAB ROBBERIES
THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
DETECTIVE CLARK SCHWARTZKOPF IS CALLED IN
TO SEE IF THERE'S A LINK BETWEEN THESE ROBBERIES
AND THE RANDOM SHOOTINGS.
I KNOW THAT, IN DECEMBER OF 2005,
THERE WAS ACTUALLY A *** OF A TAXICAB DRIVER
WHERE HIS CAB WAS ACTUALLY STOLEN.
Narrator: THE CAB WAS RECOVERED, BUT THE KILLER WAS NEVER CAUGHT.
Schwartzkopf: I KNOW ABOUT THIS CASE,
AND I'M TRYING TO PUT TWO AND TWO TOGETHER,
SO I'M GETTING KIND OF EXCITED
ABOUT THIS GUY'S TALKING ABOUT SERIAL MURDERS.
Narrator: WHEN ASKED WHY HE THINKS HE'S BEEN PICKED UP,
BASSLER SAYS, "IT PROBABLY HAS TO DO WITH THE SERIAL KILLINGS."
WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT?
BASSLER CERTAINLY HAS THE PERFECT RéSUMé
FOR A VIOLENT KILLER.
HIS RAP SHEET GOES BACK TO HIS EARLY TEENS.
HE EVEN HAS A DOMESTIC-VIOLENCE CHARGE
FOR ATTACKING HIS OWN MOTHER.
BASSLER'S NOT READY TO CONFESS JUST YET.
HE TELLS POLICE HE'S NOT THE SHOOTER THEY'RE LOOKING FOR,
BUT HE KNOWS WHO IS.
HE'S WILLING TO CUT HIMSELF A DEAL
TO TALK ABOUT THESE PARTICULAR MURDERS,
SO WE'RE PRETTY EXCITED.
HEY, HOW ARE YOU DOING?
GOOD. HOW'S IT GOING?
Narrator: BASSLER SAYS THAT HE AND HIS FRIENDS
HAD BEEN ROAMING AROUND PHOENIX ROBBING CAB DRIVERS.
DO ME A FAVOR, FRIEND.
TAKE ALL YOUR CASH, GIVE IT TO MY BUDDY OUT THERE.
BUT HIS PARTNERS IN CRIME SOON GOT BORED
WITH JUST STEALING.
THEY DECIDED TO SEEK OUT A MUCH BIGGER THRILL,
SO THEY CRUISED THE STREETS,
HUNTING FOR INNOCENT PEDESTRIANS
WHO NEVER EVEN SAW THE SHOTS COMING.
[ GUNSHOT ]
THE FELON REELS OFF A SERIES OF DATES AND LOCATIONS
OF RANDOM DRIVE-BY SHOOTINGS.
HE ALSO PROVIDES DETAILS ABOUT THE TYPE OF WEAPON USED.
THERE'S ONE BIG PROBLEM WITH ACE BASSLER'S STORY.
HE HAS A LOT OF FACTS.
UNFORTUNATELY, NONE OF THEM ARE TRUE.
Schwartzkopf: IT WAS FAIRLY EVIDENT
WITHIN ABOUT A HALF AN HOUR OF INTERROGATION
THAT THIS PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL WAS NOT CREDIBLE,
HIS INFORMATION WAS NOT CREDIBLE.
Narrator: HIS DATES AND LOCATIONS
DON'T MATCH THE DEADLY TRAIL POLICE HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATING.
THE MOST TELLING DETAIL IN HIS ELABORATE WEB OF LIES --
BASSLER TELLS THEM THE WEAPON IS A HANDGUN.
[ GUNSHOTS ]
THE PHOENIX SERIAL SHOOTERS
USE EITHER A .22 RIFLE OR A .410 SHOTGUN.
IT WAS OBVIOUS TO US THAT HE WAS TALKING
AND DOING ANYTHING HE COULD TO TRY TO LESSEN HIS CHARGES.
Narrator: BASSLER IS HELD ON THE TAXICAB ROBBERIES
BUT ELIMINATED AS A SUSPECT IN THE SERIAL KILLINGS.
THIS WAS A VERY FRUSTRATING INVESTIGATION.
IT SEEMED ALMOST EVERY TURN WE MADE,
WE JUST HIT A DEAD END.
Narrator: POLICE ASK A FRIGHTENED PUBLIC FOR HELP,
OFFERING A $100,000 REWARD
FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE CAPTURE
OF THE PHOENIX SERIAL SHOOTERS.
ONCE THE STORY WENT NATIONAL,
WE WERE LITERALLY GETTING THOUSANDS OF TIPS,
HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS EVERY DAY.
SO, WE'RE LOOKING FOR THAT ONE SOLID TIP THAT COMES IN.
Narrator: WHEN THAT ONE SOLID TIP DOES COME IN,
IT RAISES A DISTURBING POSSIBILITY
FOR THE DETECTIVES --
THAT THE KILLERS MAY COME FROM INSIDE THE RANKS
OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.
COMING UP,
A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG WOMAN BECOMES FATALITY NUMBER EIGHT.
AND A SUSPECT LEAVES BEHIND A MURDEROUS ROAD MAP.
YOU OPEN THIS BAG,
AND YOU FIND A MAP THAT HAD MARKS ON IT
THAT WERE CONSISTENT WITH SOME OF THE LOCATIONS
OF MANY OF THE SHOOTINGS.
Narrator: DESPITE AN INTENSIVE POLICE TASK FORCE,
NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY A PAIR OF ASSASSINS
KNOWN AS THE PHOENIX SERIAL SHOOTERS.
[ TIRES SQUEAL ]
POLICE HANDLE DOZENS OF LEADS ON A DAILY BASIS.
ONE RANDOM CALL IS FROM A CONCERNED CITIZEN
WHO TELLS POLICE HIS NEIGHBOR MAY BE ONE OF THE KILLERS.
THE NEIGHBOR KEEPS TO HIMSELF
AND IS OFTEN SEEN CARRYING A RIFLE CASE TO AND FROM HIS CAR.
HIS LICENSE PLATES FEATURE AN OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT STICKER.
THE CAR ITSELF IS A NONDESCRIPT CROWN VICTORIA.
IT ALL ADDS UP TO THE POSSIBILITY
THAT THIS SUSPECT MAY BE A MEMBER OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.
Schwartzkopf: THE CROWN VIC LOOKED EXACTLY LIKE
AN UNDERCOVER POLICE VEHICLE.
IF YOU WANTED TO MOVE IN AND OUT OF THE CITY STEALTHILY,
OR IF YOU WANTED TO AVERT ATTENTION,
YOU COULD USE THIS.
Narrator: BUT COULD A COP REALLY BE INVOLVED
IN THESE HORRIFIC SHOOTINGS?
Schwartzkopf: IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO GO IN STEALTHILY
AND COMMIT THESE KIND OF SHOOTINGS,
THESE PEOPLE HAD TO HAVE SOME TRAINING.
THAT MILITARY TRAINING AND POLICE TRAINING
COULD CERTAINLY COME INTO PLAY IN WHAT WAS GOING ON.
Narrator: THE TASK FORCE LEARNS
THE SUSPECT'S NAME IS CARSON FLANNERY.
IT TURNS OUT FLANNERY KEEPS A VERY LOW PROFILE.
Schwartzkopf: INITIALLY, WE WERE HAVING TROUBLE
TRYING TO GET CLOSE TO THE PERSON
TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHO HE WAS.
HE HAD NO REAL CRIMINAL BACKGROUND RECORD.
Narrator: THEY PUT FLANNERY UNDER SURVEILLANCE.
WHEN THEY TRACK HIM TO HIS PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT,
IT BECOMES CLEAR HE'S NOT A COP --
HE'S A SECURITY GUARD.
THE IMPORTANT-LOOKING GOVERNMENT STICKER ON HIS CAR --
IT'S A FAKE, SOMETHING HE MADE
IN ORDER TO PASS HIMSELF OFF AS A FEDERAL AGENT.
WAS THIS SECURITY GUARD PLAYING VIGILANTE
ON THE STREETS OF PHOENIX WITH A SIDEKICK RIDING SHOTGUN?
Man: WE HAVE SOME INFORMATION YOU'VE BEEN CARRYING A RIFLE BAG
IN AND OUT OF THAT VEHICLE, MR. FLANNERY.
IS THAT TRUE?
YEAH. IT'S A WEAPON I USE AT WORK.
Schwartzkopf: I SAID, "WHY IS IT THAT YOU DO ALL THESE PARTICULAR THINGS
TO MAKE PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT YOU'RE A POLICE OFFICER?"
HE SAID, "I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE ONE."
AND HE'D NEVER PUT IN APPLICATIONS ANYWHERE,
WHICH CONCERNED US.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
APPRECIATE YOU COMING IN.
Narrator: DETECTIVES KEEP HIM UNDER TIGHT SURVEILLANCE.
MEANWHILE, THE TASK FORCE IS INVESTIGATING ANOTHER LEAD
THAT COMES IN THROUGH A PHONE TIP.
DETECTIVE SCHWARTZKOPF.
THE CALLER SAYS HE THINKS HIS DRINKING BUDDY
MIGHT BE ONE OF THE SERIAL SHOOTERS.
IT SOUNDS LIKE JUST ANOTHER CRACKPOT
CRYING OUT FOR ATTENTION,
BUT EVERY LEAD HAS TO BE CONSIDERED.
HEY, RON.
HEY, MAN.
THE CALLER'S NAME IS RON HORTON,
AND HE REGULARLY HANGS OUT IN A LOCAL BAR
WITH A FRIEND NAMED SAM.
BRING HIM A BEER, PLEASE.
Schwartzkopf: HE SAYS SAM WAS A LONER,
HE'S BEEN KICKED OUT OF HIS HOUSE,
HE'S GOT EMPLOYMENT PROBLEMS.
HE SAYS, "WE'RE SITTING IN A BAR ONE NIGHT,
AND SAM SAYS, 'HEY.'"
HE GOES, HE ASKED HIM, "HAVE YOU EVER MURDERED ANYBODY?"
AND RON'S LIKE, "NO.
NO. WHY WOULD YOU EVEN ASK SOMETHING LIKE THAT?"
AND SAM SAYS, "WELL, I DID."
Narrator: HORTON CLAIMS SAM ALSO TALKED
ABOUT HAVING A PARTNER AND USING A SHOTGUN.
IT COULD HAVE BEEN JUST BARSTOOL BLUSTER,
BUT THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SHOOTER'S WEAPON
HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC.
Schwartzkopf: THE INDIVIDUAL THAT CALLED SAID THAT THEY --
MEANING AT LEAST TWO --
USED THE TERM "RANDOM RECREATIONAL VIOLENCE"
WHEN HE DESCRIBED WHAT THEY WERE DOING,
AND THIS RAISED A LARGE RED FLAG WITH THE TASK FORCE.
THAT TIP BECAME OUR NUMBER-ONE PRIORITY,
AND DETECTIVES WANTED TO GET TO RON
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOR AN IN-PERSON INTERVIEW.
Narrator: RON OFFERS SOMETHING EVEN MORE --
TO SET UP A MEETING WITH HIS FRIEND SAM,
AND HE INVITES POLICE TO COME ALONG.
BUT SUDDENLY,
SAM'S NOT RESPONDING TO ANY OF RON'S CALLS OR TEXTS,
AND THE LEAD LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER DISAPPOINTING DEAD END.
THEN, ON JULY 30, 2006,
A YOUNG WOMAN IS AT HOME WITH HER PARENTS.
Schwartzkopf: ROBIN BLASNEK WAS 22 YEARS OF AGE,
AND SHE CAME FROM A VERY RELIGIOUS, CONSERVATIVE FAMILY.
SHE WAS A RAY OF SUNSHINE TO HER FOLKS
AND PEOPLE THAT KNEW HER.
THEY'D WATCHED A VIDEO AND THEN ALL SAID, "OKAY, IT'S 10:00.
LET'S ALL HEAD TO BED."
NO, MY PARENTS JUST FELL ASLEEP.
Narrator: BUT ROBIN HAS OTHER PLANS.
SHE DECIDES TO VISIT A FRIEND WHO LIVES NEARBY.
Schwartzkopf: ROBIN LEFT HER HOUSE ON FOOT
IN BASICALLY HER BEDROOM GEAR.
SHE HAD SOME SLEEPING SWEATS THAT SHE WAS IN,
A SHIRT, AND SHE ACTUALLY TOOK OFF
WALKING IN HER BEDROOM SLIPPERS.
Robin: I'M ON MY WAY OVER RIGHT NOW.
I'M JUST A BLOCK AWAY.
Narrator: IT'S JUST AFTER 11:00 P.M.
A FEW MORE STEPS, AND SHE WOULD BE AT HER FRIEND'S HOUSE.
Man: THIS IS GONNA BE FRICKIN' GREAT.
Narrator: SUDDENLY, A CAR ROLLS UP.
A SHOTGUN BLAST PIERCES THE NIGHT.
GRABBING HER LEFT SIDE,
ROBIN FALLS ONTO THE HARD PAVEMENT.
[ MAN LAUGHS ]
Narrator: NEIGHBORS RUSH TO HELP HER,
BUT SHE'S LOSING BLOOD FAST.
THEY DO WHAT THEY CAN,
BUT THE YOUNG WOMAN'S LIFE SLIPS AWAY.
ROBIN BLASNEK BECOMES THE EIGHTH FATALITY
OF ONE OF THE MOST ELUSIVE SERIAL-KILLER CASES
IN ARIZONA HISTORY.
THE SECURITY GUARD, CARSON FLANNERY,
IS NOWHERE NEAR THE NEW CRIME SCENE,
WHICH MEANS HE'S CLEARED OF ANY CONNECTION.
BUT ACROSS TOWN,
ROBIN'S *** SENDS A CHILL DOWN RON HORTON'S SPINE.
HAD HIS DRINKING BUDDY SAM STRUCK AGAIN?
ON JULY 31st, HE FINALLY REACHES SAM,
AND THEY ARRANGE TO GET TOGETHER
AT A LOCAL BAR THE FOLLOWING NIGHT.
DETECTIVES TAG ALONG
AND HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THEY'RE ABOUT TO ENCOUNTER.
Schwartzkopf: AT THIS POINT, AS FAR AS I WAS CONCERNED,
EVERYBODY WAS A SUSPECT.
AND FOR ALL I KNEW,
THIS HORTON CHARACTER COULD HAVE BEEN THE SHOOTER
TRYING TO GET INSIDE INTELLIGENCE.
Narrator: COMING UP,
A DANGEROUS CAT-AND-MOUSE PURSUIT
WITH THE PHOENIX SERIAL SHOOTERS.
Schwartzkopf: THEY STARTED CRUISING AROUND
ALL THE MAJOR THOROUGHFARES,
SLOWING, STOPPING, DOING CIRCLES --
CLEARLY TROLLING FOR VICTIMS.
Narrator: FOR MORE THAN 14 MONTHS,
A REIGN OF TERROR HAS GRIPPED THE PHOENIX AREA.
TWO WHITE MALES ARE USING CITIZENS AS TARGET PRACTICE.
[ GUNSHOT ]
THERE'S NO RHYME OR REASON TO THEIR CHOICE OF VICTIMS.
ANYONE ON THE STREETS CAN BE PICKED OFF AT ANY TIME.
THE MOST RECENT CASUALTIES INCLUDE...
...20-YEAR-OLD CLAUDIA GUTIERREZ-CRUZ...
...AND 22-YEAR-OLD ROBIN BLASNEK.
[ TELEPHONE RINGS ]
DETECTIVE SALAZAR.
Narrator: A TIPSTER NAMED RON HORTON
HAS LED POLICE TO THEIR MOST PROMISING SUSPECT YET,
HORTON'S DRINKING BUDDY SAM...
I THINK I SHOT A WOMAN.
...WHO POLICE QUICKLY LEARN IS 30-YEAR-OLD SAM DIETEMAN.
Salazar: WE STARTED LOOKING AT DIETEMAN'S CRIMINAL HISTORY.
HE WAS A TROUBLED INDIVIDUAL WITH CRIMES FROM SHOPLIFTING,
SOME THEFT, AND SOME ARSONS.
Narrator: ON AUGUST 1, 2006,
UNDERCOVER POLICE OFFICERS WATCH
AS SAM DIETEMAN ARRIVES AT A LOCAL BAR
TO HAVE DRINKS WITH HORTON.
BUT DIETEMAN DOESN'T DRIVE HIMSELF.
HE'S DROPPED OFF BY ANOTHER MAN,
AND WHAT REALLY INTERESTS DETECTIVES
IS THE TYPE OF CAR HE'S DRIVING, A LIGHT-COLORED TOYOTA CAMRY.
Schwartzkopf: AS THE OTHER INDIVIDUAL LEAVES,
HE'S IDENTIFIED BY THE VEHICLE AS A DALE HAUSNER.
AND THERE'S JUST NO DOUBT IN MY MIND
THAT IT'S THE VEHICLE THAT'S BEEN DESCRIBED TO ME
BY OUR VICTIMS.
Narrator: WHICH TURNS THE DRIVER,
33-YEAR-OLD DALE HAUSNER, INTO PRIME SUSPECT NUMBER TWO.
WHILE ONE TEAM OF DETECTIVES
KEEPS AN EYE ON DIETEMAN AT THE BAR,
ANOTHER TAKES UP SURVEILLANCE ON HAUSNER.
WHEN HAUSNER STOPS AT A SHOPPING MALL,
A DETECTIVE PLANTS A GPS DEVICE ON HIS VEHICLE.
LATER THAT NIGHT, HAUSNER RETURNS AND PICKS UP DIETEMAN.
A TEAM OF OFFICERS MOBILIZES TO TRACK THEIR EVERY MOVE.
Man: OKAY, LET'S DO THIS.
Schwartzkopf: WE'VE GOT GPS ON THE CAR.
WE'VE GOT NINE SURVEILLANCE UNITS GOING IN AND AROUND.
WE HAVE AN AIR UNIT OVERTOP.
THERE WASN'T ANYWHERE THESE GUYS WERE GONNA GO
WHERE WE DIDN'T KNOW.
Narrator: HAUSNER'S CAR
TAKES A NUMBER OF DETOURS AND U-TURNS,
AS IF HE'S CHECKING FOR A TAIL.
Schwartzkopf: THEY START CRUISING AROUND
ALL THE MAJOR THOROUGHFARES,
SLOWING, STOPPING, DOING CIRCLES,
DRIVING AROUND AIMLESSLY FOR HOURS.
OUR SURVEILLANCE UNITS WERE RIGHT ON THEM, WATCHING THEM.
Narrator: THE COPS SOON REALIZE
THAT DIETEMAN AND HAUSNER AREN'T WATCHING FOR A TAIL.
IT LOOKS MORE LIKE THEY'RE TROLLING THE DESERTED STREETS
FOR POTENTIAL TARGETS.
I THINK I SEE A COUPLE PEOPLE OVER THERE.
THE UNDERCOVER UNITS ARE ON EDGE,
READY TO INTERVENE IF THEY SEE ANY SIGN
OF THE CAR SLOWING DOWN NEAR A PEDESTRIAN.
FORTUNATELY, NO SHOTS ARE FIRED THAT NIGHT.
INSTEAD, THE TWO MEN DRIVE TO NEARBY TEMPE, ARIZONA,
TO AN ADDRESS LISTED AS DALE HAUSNER'S RESIDENCE.
DETECTIVES SET UP ROUND-THE-CLOCK SURVEILLANCE
OUTSIDE THE RESIDENCE, WAITING FOR THE DUO'S NEXT MOVE.
THE FOLLOWING MORNING,
OFFICERS SPOT SAM DIETEMAN COMING OUT OF THE HOUSE
TO DUMP SOME GARBAGE.
LET'S GO GET THAT BAG.
AS SOON AS HE'S GONE, POLICE SWOOP IN.
DIETEMAN'S TRASH TURNS OUT TO BE A GOLD MINE
OF INCRIMINATING EVIDENCE.
Imbordino: YOU OPEN THIS BAG,
AND YOU FIND A CITY OF PHOENIX MAP THAT HAD MARKS ON IT
THAT WERE CONSISTENT WITH LOCATIONS
OF MANY OF THE SHOOTINGS.
THERE WAS ONE MORE VERY LARGE PIECE OF EVIDENCE IN THERE.
INSIDE A CHERRY VANILLA DR PEPPER CAN
WAS A .410 SHOTGUN-SHELL CASE,
WHICH IS THE EXACT SAME AMMUNITION USED
IN THE *** OF ROBIN BLASNEK.
Narrator: DETECTIVES GET PERMISSION
FOR AN EMERGENCY WIRETAP AT HAUSNER'S HOME,
WHERE DIETEMAN SEEMS TO BE LIVING.
HAUSNER AND DIETEMAN CAN BE HEARD LAUGHING
AT TV NEWS REPORTS ABOUT THE PHOENIX SERIAL SHOOTERS.
IT ISN'T LONG BEFORE THE TWO ARE CAUGHT ON TAPE
MAKING INCRIMINATING STATEMENTS THAT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.
THEY CALLOUSLY MOCK THEIR VICTIMS,
DELIGHTING IN THE BLOODSHED AND PAIN THEY'VE INFLICTED.
OKAY, LET'S DO THIS.
Schwartzkopf: AFTER LISTENING TO THE CONVERSATIONS,
THE CHAIN OF COMMAND DECIDED THAT THEY'D HEARD ENOUGH,
THAT THEY BELIEVED THAT THERE WAS NOW PROBABLE CAUSE
TO EFFECT AN ARREST.
Narrator: A HEAVILY ARMED SWAT TEAM STAKES OUT THE RESIDENCE.
AND WITH HAUSNER AND DIETEMAN COMPLETELY UNAWARE,
THEY STORM IN...
GET DOWN ON THE FLOOR! GET DOWN ON THE FLOOR!
...AND MAKE THEIR ARREST.
GET DOWN ON THE FLOOR! HANDS BEHIND YOUR BACK!
DON'T MOVE.
[ POLICE RADIO CHATTER ]
A SEARCH OF THE PREMISES QUICKLY TURNS UP
HUNDREDS OF ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION --
.410 SHOTGUN SHELLS.
IN A BLACK CASE BEHIND THE COUCH
WAS A .410 SHOTGUN THAT HAD THE BUTT SAWED OFF.
THAT'S IT.
CLEAR.
Narrator: ON AUGUST 4th,
DALE HAUSNER AND SAM DIETEMAN ARE QUESTIONED
IN SEPARATE INTERROGATIONS.
DETECTIVES SOON LEARN
THAT HAUSNER IS THE MASTERMIND OF THE TWO
AND THAT DIETEMAN WAS A WILLING PARTNER,
READY TO GO ALONG FOR THE RIDE.
Schwartzkopf: SAM WAS A LONER.
HE'D HAD FINANCIAL PROBLEMS. HE WAS BASICALLY DOWN AND OUT.
HE WAS LIVING ON THE STREET AT CERTAIN TIMES.
I THINK HE WAS GROOMED BY HAUSNER TO STEP IN,
TO BE A PART OF THIS.
Narrator: IN HIS INTERROGATION,
DIETEMAN FINALLY ADMITS TO PULLING THE TRIGGER
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS,
BUT BLAMES HAUSNER FOR EGGING HIM ON.
EVEN SO, DIETEMAN LIKELY ENJOYED THE POWER TRIP
THAT CAME FROM THE RANDOM "RECREATIONAL" VIOLENCE.
SAM DIDN'T SHY AWAY FROM NOTORIETY.
I MEAN, HE'S HEARD ON THE WIRETAPS YUCKING IT UP
AS MUCH AS DALE HAUSNER WAS.
Narrator: FOR HIS PART, HAUSNER DENIES EVERYTHING.
DESPITE HIS DENIALS,
HAUSNER IS EAGER TO TALK ABOUT THE SHOOTINGS
AND TO SHARE HIS OWN BIZARRE THEORIES.
ON THE SURFACE, HAUSNER SEEMS ORDINARY.
HE WORKS AS A JANITOR AT THE PHOENIX AIRPORT.
TWICE DIVORCED,
HE SHARES CUSTODY OF A 2 1/2-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER.
BUT IT WAS NOT THE LIFE HAUSNER THOUGHT HE DESERVED.
A BOXING FAN, HE SOUGHT FAME AS A RINGSIDE PHOTOGRAPHER.
THAT PIPE DREAM WENT NOWHERE,
JUST LIKE HIS FANTASY OF BECOMING A STAR
ON HIS OWN LOCAL PUBLIC-ACCESS BOXING SHOW.
Schwartzkopf: HIS BOXING SHOW NEVER GARNERED ANY ATTENTION.
HE DID EVERYTHING HE COULD TO TRY TO MAKE HIMSELF STAND OUT,
BUT, IN REALITY, HE JUST COULDN'T DO IT.
HE JUST WASN'T SKILLED ENOUGH. HE WASN'T PROFESSIONAL ENOUGH.
Narrator: HAUSNER FINALLY FOUND THE PERFECT WAY
TO QUENCH HIS *** FOR FAME...
WHAT?
...BY PREYING ON THE INNOCENT,
EXECUTING UNSUSPECTING VICTIMS OUT OF HIS CAR WINDOW.
[ LAUGHTER ]
WHOO!
THE POWER HE FELT WAS LIKELY EXHILARATING...
GOOD ONE.
...AND WAS HEIGHTENED WHEN HIS EXPLOITS
WERE FEATURED ON THE NIGHTLY NEWS.
WE HAVE TO DO THIS MORE.
[ LAUGHS ]
INSIDE HAUSNER'S HOME,
DETECTIVES UNCOVER UNMISTAKABLE EVIDENCE OF HIS SICK MOTIVES --
A MASSIVE COLLECTION OF NEWS STORIES
FEATURING THE PHOENIX SERIAL SHOOTERS.
IT WAS A CRUDE SHRINE
WHERE HAUSNER COULD SAVOR THE GLORY
OF HIS OWN DESPICABLE ACTS.
Schwartzkopf: IT REALLY LED US TO BELIEVE
THAT THIS WASN'T NECESSARILY JUST RANDOM.
THIS WAS THRILL KILLING AND NOTORIETY-DRIVEN.
Narrator: EVEN AFTER HIS ARREST,
HAUSNER'S DESPERATE NEED FOR ATTENTION
IS ON PATHETIC DISPLAY.
HE HOLDS A PRESS CONFERENCE
WHERE HE SPOUTS HIS OWN DISTORTED VERSION OF EVENTS
AND TRIES TO PIN EVERYTHING ON DIETEMAN.
I GUESS I'M JUST GUILTY BY ASSOCIATION,
EVEN THOUGH I DID NOT SHOOT ANYBODY OR KILL ANYBODY.
Man: YOU WERE NEVER WITH HIM AT ANY CRIME?
NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT, NO.
YOU NEVER PULLED THE TRIGGER?
NO. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS HAPPENING, TO BE HONEST.
YOU KNOW, I'M AN UPSTANDING MEMBER OF SOCIETY.
Narrator: HAUSNER MAY BELIEVE HIS OWN LIES,
BUT NO ONE ELSE DOES.
DIETEMAN THROWS HIM UNDER THE BUS
AND TURNS STATE'S EVIDENCE AGAINST HIS PARTNER.
MR. DIETEMAN PLED GUILTY TO TWO MURDERS
AND ONE CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT ***
AND AGREED TO TESTIFY AGAINST MR. HAUSNER.
Narrator: HAUSNER CONTINUES TO PLEAD HIS INNOCENCE
BUT IS ULTIMATELY CONVICTED ON SIX COUNTS OF ***
AND 80 COUNTS OF VIOLENCE AND TERROR.
WITH HAUSNER AND DIETEMAN OFF THE STREETS,
THE LONG NIGHTMARE IN PHOENIX IS FINALLY OVER.
BUT FOR THE FAMILIES WHOSE LIVES WERE DESTROYED
BY THE SENSELESS KILLING SPREE,
THE TRAGEDY WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
ROBIN BLASNEK AND CLAUDIA GUTIERREZ-CRUZ
WERE JUST TWO OF THE MANY VICTIMS
WHO WILL LIVE ON IN THE HEARTS OF THEIR LOVED ONES.
Interpreter: EVEN IF I HATE THOSE PEOPLE,
THAT ISN'T GOING TO RETURN MY SISTER.
I CAN'T HAVE MY SISTER ANYMORE.
I THINK ABOUT HER ALL THE TIME.
FOR ME, CLAUDIA IS NOW MY ANGEL.