Man Joined Heartbroken Family Members at Scene Where His Brother Was Murdered. That's When Police Arrested Him

An Arizona man is suspected by law enforcement of killing his brother, driving away and then returning to the crime scene with his parents.

Christopher Eaves, 49, is facing first-degree murder and burglary charges in connection to the March 21 death of James “Artie” Eaves.

James, 51, was found face-down in the driveway of his home in northeast Phoenix around 8 a.m., according to a probable cause statement obtained by PEOPLE.

Officers found damage to the garage door and broken glass from the patio door. They also found five shell casings in the driveway and one inside the home, per the statement.   

According to the statement, a witness told police he was walking down the street when he heard a “single gunshot, followed by several additional gunshots.”

“Within 30 seconds the witness saw a white BMW SUV vehicle driving northbound,” per the statement. “The witness described the driver as being either bald or short hair male.”

The witness wrote down the Arizona license plate number, which was linked to Christopher.

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Police said officers were executing a search warrant at the scene when Christopher showed up at the home with his parents and was detained.

Home video surveillance allegedly showed a BMW reversing into the garage door and then driving forward and stopping. Christopher was allegedly seen getting out of the vehicle “wearing a dark hooded shirt with a logo on the left breast, a patch on the right sleeve, and a large graphic on the back. Christopher was seen removing a firearm from his left waistband area,” per the statement.  

Police said Christopher allegedly walked towards the home with the firearm.

Investigators discovered a hoodie that matched the sweatshirt Christopher was seen wearing on surveillance footage in his parents' vehicle, according to the statement.

Another video showed the victim arriving home and noticing the BMW before walking to the front door, per the statement.

Police also allegedly found the gun used in the killing in Christopher’s bedroom.

“The firearm was on top of the nightstand,” the statement says. “The firearm had one round chambered, the hammer was cocked back, and the safety was on. The headstamps on the chambered cartridge and the magazine matched the headstamps on the casings at the scene.”  

James worked for the Sanders & Parks law firm.

The death of the well-known defense attorney has shocked the community.

“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 wrote on X. “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.”