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Suspect arrested for allegedly killing 2 people in Mesa

Aaron Thomas, 53, is accused of murdering two people in a Mesa residence earlier this year.

MESA, Ariz. — Investigators have arrested a suspect accused of murdering two people inside a Mesa home in January. 

Aaron Thomas, 53, of Laveen is suspected of fatally shooting Mottio Paschal, 32, and Makinley Charnoski, 24, on Jan. 28 in the 1500 block of West 1st Place. 

The Mesa Police Department said somebody drove Thomas to the victims' neighborhood early that morning with the intention of buying "pills."

The driver told police Thomas came running back to their car with a black backpack and wearing a hooded sweatshirt and black mask. 

A witness who discovered Charnoski and Paschal said the shooter fled from their home wearing a sweatshirt and black mask, police said. 

Thomas told police he was in that neighborhood on the day of the murders but denied killing the victims.

A handgun matching the type of weapon used in the murders was discovered in Thomas' residence, police said. 

Thomas was booked into jail on charges of first-degree murder, armed robbery, and misconduct involving weapons. 

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Silent Witness: 

Arizona's Silent Witness program allows people to send in tips and share information about crimes happening within their local communities. 

The program shares unsolved felony case information in multiple ways, including TV, radio and social media. 

Anyone who has information on a crime or recognizes a suspect described by the program is asked to call 480-948-6377, go to the program's website online or download the Silent Witness app to provide a tip. The identity of anyone who submits a tip is kept anonymous. 

Calls to Silent Witness are answered 24/7 by a live person and submitted tips are accepted at all times. Submitted tips are then sent to the detective(s) in charge of the specific case. 

Individuals who submit tips that lead to an arrest or indictment in the case can get a reward of up to $1,000. 

Have a tip? Submit it on the Silent Witness tip form here. 

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