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Inset: Judah Chesley (Gilbert Police Department). Background: Police outside the Arizona home where Judah Chesley allegedly shot and killed his girlfriend (KTVK).
A tragic incident in Arizona unfolded as a man allegedly shot his girlfriend during what authorities describe as a “drunken stupor.” Following the incident, he made a chilling call to 911, reportedly stating, “Well, now it’s my ex,” according to police reports. The man also contacted his father after the shooting, admitting he shot the woman “in the chin” but was unclear about the reasons or circumstances, as per law enforcement officials.
Judah Chesley, 26, is said to have expressed confusion and distress during a 911 call made shortly after the incident, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, just before 1 a.m. This information comes from a probable cause affidavit shared by Law&Crime.
During the call, Chesley reportedly lamented his situation, mentioning that his mother and stepfather, who were at the residence during the shooting but did not witness the event, had not come to his aid. “Everything in life leads up to this. I don’t know what to do,” he allegedly said.
Residing in Gilbert, Chesley is reported to have guided the dispatcher to determine his location, according to the affidavit. He allegedly expressed remorse, saying, “It’s not her fault. Don’t blame her.”
The police have accused Chesley of fatally shooting his unnamed girlfriend in the face. After the incident, he reportedly attempted to reach his father before contacting 911, during which he confessed to being under the influence of alcohol.
“Ma’am, my ex, well, now it’s my ex, woke me up in a drunken stupor,” Chesley told the dispatcher, apparently referring to his own intoxicated state, according to the affidavit.
Officers arrived at the home and took Chesley into custody after coming into contact with him and observing blood on his hands and clothes. A semi-automatic Glock 9 mm handgun was found with blood on it near the victim.
Investigators spoke with Chesley’s dad, who said Chesley tried to call him multiple times.
“[Chesley] didn’t know how it happened, but a bullet went into her chin,” the affidavit says, citing his dad’s statements to police.
Chesley’s father alleged that COVID-19 lockdowns “deteriorated” his son’s mental health, but his son refused to “go see a mental health professional,” according to police. Chesley’s mother and stepfather, who according to the affidavit were asleep when the shooting occurred, also spoke to investigators and said he owned firearms and was known to get “aggravated” about things.
“There’s days where it just seems like, if he gets upset, like it kind of sets him off and he doesn’t think right,” the affidavit says, citing accusations made by Chesley’s mom and stepfather.
One of the girlfriend’s family members spoke with police and said that she and Chesley had gotten into “numerous” arguments in the past. In one prior incident, Chesley used a Taser on the victim, the relative said.
Chesley was booked on a charge of second-degree murder. Court officials told Law&Crime on Tuesday that prosecutors had not yet formally filed charges.