Report: Man tweeted about killing roommate, then allegedly did
GILBERT, Ariz. -- An Arizona man who apparently tweeted about killing his roommates is now under arrest for allegedly killing one of them,reports CBS affiliate KOLD.
The Gilbert Police Department said Zachary Penton, 21, shot and killed his roommate following an argument at their Gilbert home on Sunday. Early Saturday, a tweet from an account that KOLD identifies as belonging to Penton was posted, reading: “I need to move out of my place before I viciously murder my roommates.”
Police are looking into whether the Twitter account is actually Penton’s, and have not confirmed that it is.
Police say the roommate, 41-year-old Daniel Garofalo, 41, was found shot to death. Penton allegedly confessed to the murder, and police say a handgun was recovered at the scene, KOLD reports. Penton allegedly said Garofalo threatened to kill him unless he moved out, and he admitted to shooting the man during a scuffle because he feared for his safety.
Gilbert Police spokesman Lt. Hugh White told CBS affiliate KPHO authorities are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the altercation that led to the shooting.
Court documents state that Garofalo was the home’s owner.
Penton is being held on suspicion of second-degree murder. Bond was set at $750,000 at his initial court appearance Monday.
He doesn’t have an attorney yet.