CBS 5 - KPHO Scottsdale police arrest man in fatal road rage shooting

Scottsdale police arrest man in fatal road rage shooting

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By Steve Stout - email
Paul "Tom" Pearson Paul "Tom" Pearson
Paul "Tom" Pearson Paul "Tom" Pearson
David Ross Appleton David Ross Appleton
SCOTTSDALE, AZ (CBS5) -

A judge set bond Monday at $500,000 for a Scottsdale lawyer in a fatal road-rage shooting in north Scottsdale.

Police said 59-year-old David Ross Appleton was arrested and booked into the Fourth Avenue Jail in Phoenix on a charge of second-degree murder.

Officers said they found inconsistencies with the physical evidence, witness interviews and his account of what led to the shooting death of 50-year-old Paul "Tom" Pearson on Thursday night.

Appleton told police another motorist was tailgating while he was northbound on Pima Road about 7 p.m. Thursday so he pulled into a shopping center parking lot behind a CVS pharmacy at Pima and Pinnacle Peak roads.

Appleton said the car followed him into the parking, the driver got out and reached into an open window of Appleton's Toyota SUV and began choking him, officers said.

Appleton said he pointed a revolver at the man to get him to let go and fired when he continued to choke him, hitting Pearson in the upper chest, according to police.

Officers said Appleton called 911 to report the shooting and was taken to the Scottsdale precinct station near Thompson Peak and Pinnacle Peak roads, where officers interviewed him.

Pearson, who officers said was found on the passenger side of Appleton's vehicle, was taken to Scottsdale Healthcare-Osborn where he was pronounced dead shortly after 8 p.m., police said.

Police said the investigation is continuing.

Copyright 2011 KPHO. All rights reserved.

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