Triple Stabbing in Scottsdale Thought to be Theft-Motivated

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Scottsdale police are holding a man after a triple stabbing involving the suspect's grandparents and his 54-year-old stepfather.

Police received a call at 5:30 a.m. Sunday from a 79-year-old woman who said her grandson had broken into her home and stabbed her and her 81-year-old husband.

Responding officers found the suspect, identified as Alex Willeford, 30, in the alley in back of the couple's Scottsdale home.

Willeford was taken to a local hospital for wounds to his hands. He was later released from the hospital and was booked into jail.

Scottsdale police said Willeford is facing one count of first degree murder for the fatal stabbing of his stepfather and 2 counts of attempted first degree murder against his grandparents.

Willeford was also booked on one count of robbery.

Willeford's grandparents had multiple stab wounds to their upper bodies, police said. Both are hospitalized in serious condition, police said.

Both are expected to survive.

Police found the third victim with fatal stab wounds. He was found inside an apartment as police conducted a welfare check Sunday.

The motive for the attacks appears to be robbery to support a drug habit, police said.