Arizona man accused of intentionally running over someone with car and then stomping on his head
08/15/2022 12:56 pm PDT
MESA, Ariz. (TCD) -- A 61-year-old man was arrested after allegedly using his car to fatally run over a man and stomp on him.
According to a news release from the Mesa Police Department, on Aug. 12 shortly after 12:30 p.m., officers responded near 6400 E. Alder Mesa to a report of a vehicular crash. At the scene, the victim, 63-year-old Christopher Heimer, was reportedly pronounced dead.
Upon further investigation, police learned through video surveillance camera footage and witness interviews that Heimer was walking westbound on Alder as John Lagana was driving eastbound. Lagana allegedly swerved off the road and struck Heimer. Heimer was thrown into the yard of a fourplex apartment building, police said.
Lagana reportedly drove down the sidewalk and damaged mailboxes before turning around and heading toward Heimer again. According to police, Lagana exited his car and stomped on Heimer’s head as he was lying injured on the ground.
A witness allegedly shot into the ground to stop Lagana from fleeing the area. Officers arrived and Lagana was taken into custody.
Before the incident, Lagana was allegedly parked in a vacant lot near Heimer’s home. According to police, witnesses said Lagana "honked his horn repeatedly, until Heimer came out of his home."
At the scene, officers reportedly discovered skid marks in the road and sidewalk from Lagana’s car.
Lagana told investigators he knew Heimer, and Heimer let him park at his residence because Lagana was homeless, KNXV-TV reports. Lagana’s ex-girlfriend was allegedly living in Heimer’s home.
Police said Lagana was booked into jail for first-degree murder on $2 million bond.
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