Background: Christopher Eaves arrested on March 21, 2025. Inset: Eaves in court on March 22, 2025. (KSAZ)
The man charged with killing his attorney brother allegedly returned to the crime scene with family, and cops arrested him in front of a media outlet.
Christopher Eaves, 49, is currently held on a $1.5 million bond, and if he manages to get out of custody pending trial, he cannot communicate with his own and his brother’s family, according to AZ Family.
Police in Phoenix, Arizona, claim that he carried out the shooting Friday, according to Fox affiliate KSAZ. Surveillance footage from next door recorded gunshots.
“The defendant went over to the victim’s house early yesterday morning and shot the victim, fired multiple shots,” prosecutors reportedly said. “He returned to his house with his parents, and Phoenix Police found multiple loaded weapons in the defendant’s car.”
Officers arrived to find the victim, James “Artie” Eaves, 51, dead.
The outlet’s cameras were there when defendant Eaves arrived at the cops and arrested him.
Authorities have yet to convey an alleged motive.
James Eaves was a respected lawyer, working for Sanders and Parks Attorneys at Law.
“Artie was a close friend, amazing attorney and colorful raconteur; his death leaves a hole in all of our hearts,” firm president Robin Burgess said in a statement obtained by Fox 10 reporter Lindsey Ragas. “Our thoughts are with his family at this terrible time.”
As part of his career, James Eaves also represented the county, working for the transition team for former Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel in 2019, according to AZ Family.
“Artie Eaves was a dear friend and colleague to so many of us at the Maricopa County Atty’s Office,” Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said in a statement released Friday. “Today’s tragedy has not yet sunk in but one thing is for certain: Artie will be deeply missed. I am praying for his entire family and would ask others to do the same.”
