Arizona man accused of fatally shooting girlfriend because she was 'nagging' him

MESA, Ariz. (TCD) -- A 48-year-old man is accused of shooting his girlfriend to death because she was "nagging him."

On Tuesday, April 4, at approximately 1:30 p.m., Timothy Staufenbeil called Mesa Police to report he accidentally shot his girlfriend while cleaning his gun at his home on Obispo Avenue, KTVK-TV reports. Officers and paramedics arrived at the residence and found the female victim deceased with a gunshot wound to the back of her head.

KPNX-TV reports Staufenbeil covered the victim’s head and body with a beach towel.

According to KPNX, Staufenbeil told officers he tried to perform CPR and compressions on his girlfriend after shooting her.

Before calling 911, he reportedly made three phone calls, including one to a friend and another to his mother. While speaking with his friend, Staufenbeil allegedly admitted to shooting his girlfriend, KPNX reports. He reportedly said they were sitting on the couch and watching television when his girlfriend kept "nagging" him and "carrying on."

He allegedly shot his girlfriend about half an hour before talking to his friend.

According to KTVK, the friend told officials that Staufenbeil discussed taking his own life after the shooting.

Staufenbeil allegedly called his mother twice as well, and he told her he was upset with his girlfriend and that she had scratched him that day.

In an interview, Staufenbeil reportedly changed his story and said he came home and his girlfriend was on the couch holding a gun to her head. When he tried to stop her, it allegedly went off.

Officers recovered a .40 caliber handgun from the scene, as well as a single shell casing near the victim’s body.

Staufenbeil was arrested and booked into the Maricopa County Jail on April 5 for homicide.

MORE:

• Maricopa County Jail Records
• Mesa man arrested in shooting death of ‘nagging’ girlfriend —KPNX
• Man accused of shooting, killing girlfriend at Mesa home — KTVK