Court records say the 18-year-old admitted to shooting the man during a Dec. 29 break-in and remained inside the house while the body decomposed in the backyard.
PHOENIX, AZ — An 18-year-old Laveen resident is accused of fatally shooting his next-door neighbor during a December burglary, leaving the man’s body in the backyard and living in the victim’s home for weeks until officers found the remains during a welfare check late Monday, police said.
Investigators say the case centers on a quiet block near 51st Avenue and Southern avenues, where officers went around 11:15 p.m. Monday after neighbors reported they had not seen the homeowner in days and believed someone was inside his house. The teen suspect, identified by police as Xzavion Johnson, was taken into custody after an extended barricade ended with him walking out and surrendering. The victim was identified as David Jimenez, 57, whose body was discovered in the backyard in advanced stages of decomposition. The arrest marks a fast-moving turn in a homicide that police say happened Dec. 29, with detectives now reviewing security footage, financial records and ballistic evidence as they map the weeks between the killing and the discovery.
According to police and court paperwork, Johnson told detectives he entered Jimenez’s yard on Dec. 29 intending to steal while armed with a handgun. When confronted, he allegedly shot Jimenez multiple times and left him in the backyard, covering the body with blankets. Detectives say a package bearing Johnson’s name was later found on the victim’s porch, and the teen is accused of driving Jimenez’s car and using his credit cards in the days after the shooting. Officers on Monday established a perimeter after seeing movement inside the home; the suspect eventually exited and was arrested without further incident. A judge later set bond at $1 million cash during an initial appearance, calling the allegations disturbing and brutal.
Neighbors described Jimenez as a friendly presence who tended his corner-lot yard and waved to passersby. Several said they had noticed a foul odor for days but could not pinpoint the source. One neighbor placed flowers in the driveway after the discovery. Another said fireworks around New Year’s could have masked the sound of gunfire. Police say Johnson lived one door down from Jimenez with his family. Johnson’s mother contacted authorities after she realized she had not seen her son since Dec. 29, noticed the odor near Jimenez’s home and saw mail on the neighbor’s porch addressed to her son, prompting her to call 911.
Detectives say shell casings and a cartridge found on the back porch matched a handgun reportedly stolen about 10 days before the shooting. Investigators are tracing the weapon’s path and reviewing transactions made on the victim’s accounts. Court filings state Jimenez’s body showed signs consistent with being shot three times. Police have not released a detailed timeline of the suspect’s movements but allege he remained inside the home for weeks, left and returned, and had access to the victim’s vehicle. No other suspects are believed to be involved, and police say the motive appears to have been burglary that escalated to homicide when the homeowner confronted the intruder.
Family members said Jimenez was a retired nurse who had worked at the VA and lived in Phoenix for decades after growing up in New Mexico. He was unmarried and had no children, relatives said, but maintained close ties with his siblings. On Tuesday, candles and flowers formed a small memorial near the driveway as neighbors traded stories about the man they saw most mornings sweeping his walk. “It’s incredibly tragic,” said neighbor Thomas Brodersen, who has lived on the street for years. “We all liked David, and the kid seemed nice too. We never had an issue with him.”
Police booked Johnson into jail on counts that include first-degree murder and burglary. Prosecutors indicated they will review potential additional charges related to credit card use and vehicle theft. Detectives are seeking further search warrants for digital records and ballistic testing. An advisory from Phoenix police said investigators do not believe there are additional suspects. Court scheduling information shows a probable-cause review and preliminary hearing process ahead; the next court date was not immediately listed Tuesday evening. Officials said updates will follow as laboratory results and autopsy findings are finalized in the coming days.
Residents on the block voiced shock at the allegation that someone lived next to a decomposing body. “Just to live there with the person you murdered in the backyard—that’s crazy,” said neighbor Paul Garrobo. Another neighbor, Molly Hervieux, questioned how the teen could be gone for so long without notice. A small group paused on the sidewalk Tuesday to watch detectives move in and out with evidence bags while workers collected the victim’s car. The odor, several said, hung faintly in the cool air even after nightfall.
As of Wednesday morning, Johnson remained jailed on $1 million cash bond, and police said the investigation is active. Detectives plan to continue interviews, process additional evidence and coordinate with the medical examiner for a formal cause and manner of death. Authorities said more information is expected after the first court filing deadlines later this week.
Author note: Last updated January 15, 2026.