A horrific family tragedy unfolded on the afternoon of August 8, 2021, resulting in the deaths of three family members in a residence near 30th Street and Pinchot Street. The victims have been identified as Irene T. Lujan, 56, Lewis Lujan, 63, and Mathew Lujan, 30. The suspect, Brandon Lujan, 34, was detained and has now been sentenced to three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of release.
Phoenix Police Department officers responded to an unknown trouble call at approximately 3:30 PM. The initial call indicated that there were individuals injured inside the residence. Upon arriving at the scene, officers knocked on the door multiple times, but there was no response.
As officers were on-site, dispatch received additional information from the caller, revealing that the suspect, Brandon Lujan, had admitted to shooting his family. This critical information prompted the officers to forcibly enter the residence. Inside, they discovered the three victims, who appeared to have been deceased for several hours.
The investigation revealed that the tragic event began with a fight between Brandon and his brother Mathew. The altercation escalated, leading Brandon to shoot Mathew. Following this initial act of violence, Brandon proceeded to shoot his parents, Irene and Lewis Lujan, reloading his weapon in the midst of the attack.
Brandon Lujan was detained at a medical facility near 7th Street and Indian School Road after he disclosed the murders to the staff. The investigation also uncovered that Lujan’s two young daughters were in his vehicle on the day of the murders, with one hearing him say, “I’m going to kill them [all],” before hearing gunshots and screams from the house.
Further investigation revealed that Brandon and his wife, Raylien Loest, had recently been evicted from his parents’ home. Loest acted as the getaway driver on the day of the murders and was subsequently tried, convicted, and sentenced to three years in prison.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced the sentencing, stating, “To murder your family in such a deliberate, callous manner and express no remorse shows a remarkable lack of humanity. I am thankful to the prosecutors in this case who ensured this dangerous individual is never released.” At sentencing, family members described the victims as kind and giving people. One family member shared, “There is a hole in our lives that will never be filled.”
Brandon Lujan was found guilty of three counts of First-Degree Murder, each a Class One Dangerous Felony and Domestic Violence offense. He has been sentenced to three natural life sentences without the possibility of release, ensuring he remains behind bars for the rest of his life. This horrific incident has left the community in shock and mourning, highlighting the devastating impact of domestic violence. Phoenix Police continue to investigate the details surrounding this case to ensure justice for the victims. The community is urged to remain vigilant and report any signs of domestic violence to prevent such tragedies in the future.
