Five Arrested in Scottsdale Fight That Led to Man’s Death

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Five people were arrested, one on murder charges, after a man died from injuries sustained during a fight earlier this month in Scottsdale.

The victim, Thomas John “T.J.” Pizzitola, 29, was found unconscious on the sidewalk around 2:15 a.m. on October 11 and was rushed to the hospital but did not survive.

According to police, the incident began when Pizzitola and two friends were kicked out of Pattie’s First Avenue Lounge for being unruly. While waiting for a rideshare, an argument broke out between the group and several suspects, including 24-year-old Drew Meneses.

Prosecutors stated that cellphone video recorded during the altercation shows Meneses throwing a punch that knocked Pizzitola unconscious. “The defendant walked up behind him and essentially sucker punched him in the head,” said Prosecutor Angela Andrews.

Meneses was arrested and booked into Maricopa County Jail on charges of second-degree murder and aggravated assault, with a bond set at $1 million. He told the court, “It was a bad night. It was not supposed to happen like that at all and there was no malicious intent for that at all.”

Alongside Meneses, three others, Tony Becker, Mark Whitford, and Julius Husser, were also charged with aggravated assault, while Krista Molina faces accusations of assault and disorderly conduct.

The incident escalated after Pizzitola’s friend bumped into Molina, leading to a confrontation between the groups. After Pizzitola was attacked, he fell and hit his head, leading to fatal brain injuries.

Investigators reported that Pizzitola’s organs were subsequently donated. All suspects involved left the scene before police arrived but were arrested following investigations.