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Suspect connected to string of Scottsdale, Phoenix murders killed himself, police say

The suspect has been identified as 56-year-old Dwight Lamon Jones.

The suspected gunman in a three-day Valley shooting spree that claimed the lives of four people killed himself Monday morning when he was confronted by police at a Scottsdale hotel, a Phoenix police spokesman said.

Sources tell 12 News that a double-murder scene in Fountain Hills is also linked to the suspect, believed to be 56-year-old Dwight Lamon Jones.

Police said Jones was tracked to a room at the Extended Stay America, near 69th Street and Shea Boulevard, Monday.

According to police, multiple shots were fire inside Jones' room while tactical teams evacuated adjacent rooms.

Scottsdale police said there were no injuries to officers or guests, and Jones was dead at the scene. Police said officers did not fire a shot.

The hotel was his last listed place of residence.

Police at the scene where the suspect connected to the string of Valley murders killed himself. (Photo: 12 News)

Jones is suspected of killing nationally known forensic psychiatrist Dr. Steven Pitt, two paralegals and a therapist. The shootings terrorized the Valley legal and mental health communities.

Police have said Pitt and the law office employees were targeted. They said they're confident the murder of the therapist found dead Friday is also related.

Pitt's family thanked the law enforcement agencies who are working on the case, according to Bruce Bobbins, a spokesperson for the family.

"Our hearts go out to the families of Veleria Sharp, Laura Anderson and Marshall Levine," the family also said in the statement.

A funeral for Pitt took place Monday afternoon.

At the Fountain Hills murder scene, two body bags were taken from the home Monday. The victims were identified as 70-year-old Mary Simmons and 72-year-old Bryon Thomas.

Police said the gun used in the shooting came from the residence.

Medical examiner rolled two body bags from a house in Fountain Hills, possibly connected to the killing spree that started with Dr Stephen Pitt last week, on June 4, 2018. (Photo: Will Pitts / 12 News)

READ: Investigators: Double homicide and shooting of Steven Pitt are related

12 News has learned of Jones’ apparent connections to the four victims from a source familiar with the case:

Pitt, who was shot and killed late Thursday afternoon outside his north Phoenix office, did a court-ordered psychiatric evaluation of Jones about eight years ago, during Jones’ bitter divorce from his wife.

Elizabeth Feldman, who works at the Scottsdale law firm where the two paralegals were killed Friday, was the divorce attorney for Jones’ wife. Feldman was not in the office when the two women were shot.

Jones was seeing or had been seeing a therapist at the offices where the fourth victim, Marshall Levine, was found dead late Friday. It’s not known whether Jones was Levine’s client.

READ: Friends mourn victims in string of Valley murders

Court records show Jones’ wife filed for divorce in 2009 and the case dragged on for eight years, into 2017.

The records show his wife sought an order of protection, and psychological and psychiatric evaluations were requested for her husband.

Their divorce was finalized around 2011, but the case dragged on with disputes over alimony and child custody.

Court records shows Jones acted as his own attorney in the divorce.

Jones’ criminal record involves one domestic violence case.

Records show that in May 2009, shortly before his wife filed for divorce, he was charged in Scottsdale Municipal Court with misdemeanor assault, threats and intimidation, and disorderly conduct.

Jones pleaded guilty to the disorderly conduct charge.

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