Two Arrested in Connection with Fatal Shooting at Phoenix Hotel

Phoenix Police Detain Suspects in the Death of a 62-Year-Old Man

Phoenix police have apprehended two individuals in connection with the death of a 62-year-old man at a local hotel. The incident occurred at the La Quinta Inn near West Thomas Road and North Black Canyon Highway. Officers received reports of a shooting just before 6 a.m. on Wednesday and swiftly responded to the scene.

Upon arrival, law enforcement discovered Kenneth Stanford lying on the ground in the hotel’s west parking lot. Stanford had sustained potential gunshot wounds to the top of his head and chest. He was immediately transported to a nearby hospital by the Phoenix Fire Department. Tragically, Stanford was later pronounced dead.

Although no bullet casings were recovered from the scene, the police are awaiting the results of an autopsy to determine the exact cause of Stanford’s death. Authorities are investigating whether he was stabbed or shot.

Video surveillance footage from the hotel and a nearby business has assisted in identifying the suspects. The recordings show a red Jeep Patriot entering the hotel parking lot and dropping off a woman and a man. The individuals have been identified as 35-year-old Naketra Alexander and 33-year-old Javon Parks.

Court documents reveal that the day before the incident, Scottsdale police engaged with sex workers in the area to provide resources. During this operation, the police utilized an app to solicit a date with two women. One of these women, later identified as Alexander, arrived at the Element Hotel in the same red Jeep seen at the La Quinta. Accompanying her was Parks, as outlined in court records.

According to the court documents, Alexander provided limited information about Parks and the other woman, leading investigators to believe that the situation was a planned robbery disguised as a prostitution deal.

Detailed accounts state that Alexander and Parks made their way to Stanford’s room, where Alexander entered. Parks forcefully pushed his way inside, initiating a confrontation with Stanford. Parks was seen wielding a small, sharp object, repeatedly striking Stanford with it, according to court documents.

Stanford managed to retreat and fled west through the corridor, while Parks allegedly instructed Alexander to seize his phone. The pair then reentered the hotel room, retrieved an item, and swiftly left the scene, as detailed in court records.

During a police interview, Parks denied visiting the La Quinta Inn and engaging in a fight, despite investigators revealing evidence to the contrary. Parks claimed that he had been driving around with Alexander in a red Jeep on the day of the incident and into the early morning hours.

Detectives also interviewed Parks’ girlfriend, who disclosed that Parks had acted as Alexander’s pimp that evening. She stated that Parks had requested her to drive them to a date at the hotel, according to court records.

Parks’ girlfriend further revealed that she remained inside the car while Alexander entered the hotel. Alexander returned after a short period, and Parks questioned her about the money. Alexander claimed that her date desired party drugs, prompting both individuals to reenter the hotel, while Parks’ girlfriend stayed in the vehicle.

Parks has been remanded in custody on a $1 million bond. Both Parks and Alexander are now facing charges of murder and armed robbery.