High Profile Forensics Psychiatrist Killed Outside Phoenix Office

PHOENIX, AZ — Forensic psychiatrist Steven Pitt, 59, who had advised police in high-profile investigations into the murder of JonBenet Ramsey, the Columbine school massacre and the Valley’s Baseline Killer, was shot and killed around 5:30 p.m. Thursday as he left his office. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Witnesses told police they heard a loud argument, followed by gunshots. They were able to give police a description of the gunman, which the police department released Friday morning. Pitt’s office is near N. Scottsdale Road and E. Greenway Parkway.

Phoenix Police Sgt. Vince Lewis told reporters police aren’t ruling anything out, but “a loud argument probably suggests they knew each other either professionally or personally.”

David Weinstock, a Phoenix psychologist who had worked with Pitt in forensics investigation, speculated to The Arizona Republic that he may have been killed by someone connected to a criminal case. (Get Phoenix Patch's real-time news alerts and free morning news letters. Like us on Facebook. Also, download the free Patch iPhone app or free Patch Android app.)

"I could be wrong, but the timing and circumstances sound a lot like someone who was waiting outside his office for him," Weinstock said in an email. "I suspect this was one who either got out after Steve helped put him away or someone whose case he was working on who felt threatened about what Steve could do."

Weinstock said he and Pitt had often talked about the dangers associated with their work.

The newspaper said a review of Maricopa County Superior Court records revealed Pitt hadn’t applied for any protective orders.

Police are also looking at surveillance video from nearby cameras to learn more about what led up to the shooting.

The suspect is described as a white male. The witnesses said he is bald and was wearing a dark-colored hat with a short brim at the time of the shooting. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS. Spanish speakers should call 480-TESTIGO. Callers may remain anonymous and a reward of up to $1,000 is offered.

According to Pitt’s website, he had gained a national reputation for forensic psychiatric examinations, “particularly regarding innovations that combine videotaping and transcriptions.” It said he has been retained as an expert witness by both prosecutors and defense attorneys in both criminal and civil cases.

Image: Phoenix Police Department suspect sketch