A man suspected of murdering an individual in February was apprehended by the Mesa Police Department in Phoenix on Wednesday.

According to the Mesa police, 21-year-old Mario Ortiz Jr. is responsible for the death of 29-year-old Kenneth Gordon.

The murder occurred on February 4th at an apartment complex located near the intersection of Main Street and Power Road in Mesa.

At approximately 8:30 a.m., officials arrived at the location to conduct a welfare check and discovered the body of Gordon.

According to the Mesa police, the Maricopa County Medical Examiner determined that Gordon’s death was a homicide after finding two puncture wounds on his right thigh.

Upon investigation, Mesa detectives identified Ortiz as a potential suspect in the case.

According to Mesa police, while conducting their inquiry, they discovered that the Phoenix Police Department had apprehended Ortiz for a felony parole violation. They subsequently made plans to question him in Mesa.

According to court documents, Ortiz confessed to being in the company of Gordon when he died, but denied being responsible for stabbing him.

Ortiz informed the police that he encountered Gordon at a bus stop and that Gordon reportedly requested illegal substances from Ortiz and proceeded to accompany him to a neighboring apartment for purchase and consumption. Afterwards, Gordon went back to his own apartment.

Ortiz told police that he subsequently knocked on Gordon’s door with the intention of spending time together and was granted entry. Apparently issues arose when Ortiz attempted to use Gordon’s cellphone. Gordon forcibly took the phone and had a strong reaction.

Ortiz reported to the police that Gordon approached him without any weapons and that Ortiz then pushed him away. Ortiz claimed that he did not possess a knife and was unaware of how Gordon sustained his stab wound.

Ortiz confessed to taking Gordon’s phone and leaving the apartment once he began bleeding.

 

 

The accused is charged with second-degree murder, armed robbery, first-degree burglary, and a felony parole warrant.

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office is currently holding Ortiz in custody with a bail amount of $100,000.