JusticeForChipAndTheo Facebook group
GoFundMe fundraiser to support the dog owners with costs of pursuing legal action
To the City of Phoenix Park District, councilman Jim Waring, Congressman David Schweikert and whomever else this matter of public safety might concern, we are writing in regards to the shooting that happened at Desert Horizon Park March 7th 2024 and on behalf of the animals that were killed and their human guides (owners) who had to witness their family pets die violently.
We are asking that you reopen case incident #24-342930.
There is an abundant survey of people who knew the dogs personally or met them as frequent visitors of the park who report that Chip and Theo were both very friendly dogs towards humans and other dogs. I can attest to this having lived with one of the dogs temporarily and after having visited Desert Horizon Park with his owner recently as well. At least 3 sets of parents came up to pet Chip with their toddlers ranging 18 months to 3 approximately. He was gentle, trained to his owner’s command, socialized and sweet.At approximately 4:15 pm, Chip and Theo were playing ball with their owners off leash as many people there do when the dogs curiously approached another man walking his dog and a woman. (There had been a previous pitch for a dog park in this location, but it was denied. In addition to reopening the case for unlawful use of a firearm with unwarranted force towards animals in a public park, the community would also like to see a dog park opened in memorium of what happened there.)
The owners heard a gunshot after their dogs went to retrieve a ball within eyesight. There was zero threat, zero signs of aggression on behalf of the dogs nor was there an attempt from the gunman to deter the dogs or give warning to a claim of perceived threat when this man immediately pulled a loaded gun from his hip and shot both animals later claiming self defense.While they both lay incapacitated from injury, he stood over them and fired additional bullets into both animals. If his claim for self defense were true he would have stopped firing after both animals were rendered immobile due to the initial gunshot injuries. The owners may have been able to get their pets life saving treatments but as they ran towards Chip & Theo, this man chose to step forward again and shoot to kill.
Chip was shot multiple times in the head and died immediately.
Theo was shot multiple times as well and died shortly after.
One who feels threatened enough to fire at a living being under the claim of self defense isn’t devoid of compassion or remorse. There are times self defense is subjectively deemed necessary. This was not one of them. In this case…unnecessary force was used in the absence of threat. After the alleged threat was immobilized (the dogs layed there whimpering and flailing on the ground bleeding as their human parents watched in horror) the gunman could have walked away to further secure his claim for seeking safety. He could have shown compassion to the owners and helped them seek veterinary emergency care. None of those things happened.
In fact, he had time to step forward calmly and shoot to kill. He then walked off towards his car with intent to flee as if nothing had happened as though calmly shooting dogs is a normal day in the park. As one of the owners ran towards their car to get a picture of the gunman and their license plate, he captured evidence of the man hovering his hand over his firearm again showing potential readiness to pull it again, this time on a person. The woman who was with the gunman was witnessed laughing with police at the scene as owners Adam McNeela & Jenny Caldwell fell apart in the background laying next to their violently murdered dogs’ bodies.
The word murder is used intentionally to describe the unlawful killing of another being without justification or valid excuse committed with the necessary intention as defined by the law. This was not a matter of Arizona “stand your ground”, although the gunman used self defense as ground to stand on-later claiming a need for medical attention to avoid jail…a gross misuse of emergency city recourses. So after calmly injuring two animals, then going out of his way to make sure they wouldn’t receive life saving treatment, he got a ride to the hospital. Chip and Theo never got a chance at a hospital.
The community comprised of social media platforms, news platforms and within the neighboring communities of Desert Horizon park are rallying in honor of the lives lost, emotional damage done to the people who witnessed the traumatic event and are seeking due process to ensure this man who is believed beyond a reasonable doubt to be a threat to public safety is disabled from doing this again.
Why is there reason to believe this gunman’s claims to self defense are unfounded in addition to the suspicious behavior and exploitation of rights claims? Other park patrons and dog owners have experienced similar threatening encounters with this man as well. In addition to the very valid and deserving justice these pets and their humans deserve for their tragic loss…there is reason to reopen this case #24-342930 as a matter of public safety as well. There is a disregulated man who has a reputation for confrontation with other park patrons and dog owners who owns a loaded firearm and has demonstrated he is willing to impulsively use it by unwarranted force in public places. This ultimately puts dogs and people in danger. The police recovered 6 bullet casings from the scene. The shooter was arrested and later released with no charges.We are asking you to reopen this case for investigation as there is reason to believe this could happen again. After the case has been re-examined and due process for illegal use of a firearm towards animals on park property has been addressed, we would like to discuss the steps necessary to finally build that dog park in honor of Chip & Theo. Thank you for your time, compassion and consideration of protecting your community.
Your efforts are appreciated.
#JusticeForChipAndTheo
Want to contact decisions makers?
Speaking of decision makers, please email or more effectively (call) those who have the power to make progress. That can include the following for getting this case reopened for criminal investigation, etc.
•County Prosecutor for Phoenix in Maricopa County
225 West Madison StreetPhoenix, AZ 85003
Phone
(602) 506-3411
Form Center • Maricopa County Attorney's Office, AZ • CivicE
�️•Phoenix district 2 councilman Jim Waring
200 W. Washington St., 11th floorPhoenix, AZ 85003Phone: 602-262-7445Fax: 602-495-0527Email: council.district.2@phoenix.gov
�️Email – Congressman Schweikert
City Council District 2 District 2 Profile
•Congressman District 1 David Sheikart
Scottsdale Office14500 N. Northsight Blvd.Ste. 221Scottsdale, AZ 85260Phone: (480) 946-2411Fax: (480) 946-2446
When it comes to getting a memorial dog park established at Desert Horizon or another location, consider:
�️Desert Horizon Park district in Phoenix Arizona
+16024950135
Phoenix parks and recreation
City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department
�️Arizona humane society
602.997.7585
Email on website: azhumane.org
Report Cruelty - Arizona Humane Society
�️Animal defense league
602-265-7729
Email: Adla@adlaz.org
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/AnimalDefenseLeagueAZ?mibextid=ibOpuV
Go team Chip & Theo ��
