A security guard at the Mesa Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was shot to death at about 3 a.m. Sunday after confronting a youth in the parking lot, authorities said.
Norman Davis, 37, of Mesa, was shot in the head in what police spokesman Sgt. Mike Hayes called a "mean, premeditated murder." Davis was flown by helicopter to Scottsdale Memorial Hospital, where he died later Sunday.Police arrested Justin Lee Neadeau, 16, of Mesa, in the shooting. He has been charged with first-degree murder and is being held at Maricopa County Juvenile Detention Facility in Phoenix, Hayes said.
Police recovered a .25-caliber handgun that may have been used in the killing.
A second guard, who had witnessed a confrontation, left to call police and did not see the shooting, police said.
"This is one of those situations that there is no logical reason for what occurred," Hayes said. Police have known the suspect as an associate of a youth gang in Mesa. Gang shootings often are planned without any motive. "I don't know that there'll ever be one, Hayes said.
Dale Shumway, president of the Mesa church stakes, said church leaders were stunned upon learning of Sunday's shooting. "We are shocked and dismayed at this senseless act of violence," Shumway said. "Our hearts go out to the Davis family."
Police said Neadeau admitted he was at the temple and made contact with the security guard but refused to comment about the shooting when questioned by police.
"There is no motive for this," Hayes said.
According to police, a second temple guard saw Davis talking with the suspect. Moments later, he heard the gunshot and then saw a person run south from the temple grounds.
A temple representative said Davis was a member of the Mormon Church and had worked as a guard at the temple since November 1989. The representative said Davis did not carry a gun on the job.