An Arizona family is grieving the loss of Thomas John (TJ) Pizzitola, a 29-year-old man who was killed during a violent altercation outside a Scottsdale bar earlier this month
According to the Scottsdale Police Department, the incident occurred on Oct. 11 when Pizzitola, who was with two friends, was struck in the head during a confrontation involving four of five suspects. Officers responding to a medical call found him unconscious on the sidewalk. He was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
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On Oct. 22, police announced the arrests of five people in connection with Pizzitola’s death. The suspects — Drew Meneses, 24; Julius Husser, 27; Tony Becker, 26; Mark Whitford, 23; and Krista Molina, 27 — were taken into custody after allegedly fleeing the scene. Meneses has been charged with second-degree murder, while Becker, Whitford, and Husser face aggravated assault charges. Molina faces charges of assault and disorderly conduct, and both Becker and Husser were additionally charged with assault.
A GoFundMe campaign organized by Pizzitola’s family says that his widow, Krisan Pizzitola, is expecting the couple’s first child within weeks. The fundraiser notes that donations will help cover hospital bills, funeral costs, and ongoing support for Krisan and their unborn baby.
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Speaking to FOX 10, Krisan shared that TJ’s final text message expressed love and pride. “I texted him that I had gotten home and he texted me back and said that he wished that I was there, but that he was so proud of me for staying home and taking care of our baby boy and that he loved me,” she said. “That was the last text I ever got from him.”
Through her grief, Krisan reflected on her husband’s dreams of fatherhood: “All he ever wanted to be was the best father ever and the best husband,” she said. “But he wasn’t finished.”
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Court records for the defendants do not yet list plea or attorney information. The investigation into Pizzitola’s death remains ongoing, police said.
