Neighbor Dispute Turns Deadly
August 13, 2009
On Thursday, August 13, 2009 at approximately 1:00 a.m., Mesa
Police officers responded to a report of a shooting in the area
of 2900 S. El Paradiso in Mesa. When officers arrived, they
found the victim, 51-year-old Benny O'Neal, with a gunshot
wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he
was later pronounced deceased.
At this time the investigation has revealed that the victim and
the suspect are next door neighbors. They have been involved in
an ongoing dispute reference noise disturbance. This morning the
victim exited his home to confront the suspect about another
noise disturbance issue. The victim and suspect were engaged in
a brief verbal exchange, when the suspect produced a handgun and
shot the victim.
Rodney Hoyt (52) was taken into custody without incident and
transported to the Mesa Police Department Holding Facility. Hoyt
was booked on one count of Second Degree Murder.