Scottsdale Killer Targeted Experts In His Custody Case

SCOTTSDALE, AZ — A now-deceased man is suspected of killing a psychiatrist who testified against him in a child custody hearing, according to reports. Steven Pitt, 59, was shot outside his office Thursday, May 31.

Dwight Lamon Jones, who killed himself Monday as police closed in, is believed to have killed Pitt alongside five others in what appears to be a killing spree triggered by losing custody of his child. Pitt interviewed Jones in 2009 for a child custody case between Jones and his ex-wife, concluding that Jones would "become increasingly paranoid, likely psychotic, and pose an even greater risk of perpetuating violence," the Arizona Republic reported.

Jones told Pitt in the 2009 interview that he was angry, the Arizona Republic reports. The four-hour session in Pitt's Phoenix office revealed that Jones thought his wife had abused their son and had affairs, and he claimed that she wanted to make him look violent and paranoid, according to the Republic.

Pitt had been made famous by high-profile cases like the JonBenet Ramsey murder, the Valley's Baseline Killer and the Columbine school shooting.

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Jones lost custody of his son as a result of the court proceedings. Pitt was shot dead outside of the very office where he interviewed Jones, who killed himself Monday at Extended Stay America in Scottsdale as police closed in.

See more:

• Arizona Shootings: 5 Things To Know About Dwight Lamon Jones
• High Profile Forensics Psychiatrist Killed Outside Phoenix Office
• Scottsdale Shooting Death May Be Linked 3 Others: Police

The day after Jones killed Pitt, the Washington Post reported, he allegedly killed two paralegals at the law firm hired by his ex-wife in the child custody case.

The Arizona Republic reported that Jones had made almost 10 hours of videos he posted to YouTube claiming a conspiracy against him. He said the Maricopa County judicial system, psychiatrists, lawyers and his ex-wife were involved.

Article image Scottsdale Police Department