PHOENIX (CBS5) -
Peoria police have arrested a 30-year-old man in connection with the shooting death of the head football coach at Phoenix College.
Justin Otis McMahan was arrested Wednesday night at a Circle K at 35th Avenue and Baseline Road in Phoenix, according to a probable cause statement. He was driving a car which was similar to the vehicle captured in surveillance footage. McMahan's shoe soles matched the bloody shoe impressions at the scene, police said.
Land Jacobsen, 59, was shot in the stomach July 17 at a house near 92nd Lane and Deer Valley Road during a meeting he had scheduled with McMahan, police said.
Jacobsen was able to call for help. He told police dispatchers that he had met the man on the internet and had invited him to his home for a drink. During an interview in the hospital, Jacobsen told police he had gone to the refrigerator to get a beer for McMahan. He said when he looked up, McMahan had produced a silver handgun and told Jacobsen he was going to be robbed, police said.
McMahan threw some silver duct tape at Jacobsen and told him to start taping his wrist, officers said. Jacobsen, fearing that he would be shot and killed, stood up and was shot, according to police.
Police were able to enter the home through a garage access door and found the victim bleeding with duct tape wrapped around his right wrist. Detectives determined that he had been shot in the kitchen.
Jacobsen died from his wounds at John C. Lincoln Hospital on Tuesday.
Peoria police said there were other people living in the home, but they were not there at the time of the shooting.
Officers said they found Jacobsen's wallet on the garage floor. It appeared the wallet had been gone through because several business cards had been strewn on the garage floor, police said.
McMahan was booked into jail on suspicion of first-degree murder, kidnapping and armed robbery.
McMahan has a criminal history stretching back more than a decade.
He pleaded guilty to armed robbery on Nov. 30, 2001, and to charges in connection with a kidnapping on Jan. 11, 2002. Aggravated assault charges were dismissed against him in August of 2009.
Jacobsen was the coach of Phoenix College's football team for the last five years. He coached football for 35 years.
The following statement appeared on the Phoenix College Facebook page Thursday:
It is with tremendous sadness that we must inform you of the death of our friend and colleague, Land Jacobsen. Coach Jacobsen passed away at John C. Lincoln Hospital, late Tuesday night, July 26, from complications related to an injury suffered at his residence.
More information about funeral arrangements and/or a memorial service will be forthcoming.
Counseling services are being provided to the members of our football team and athletic staff to help them cope with this tragic loss. If you would like to speak to someone during this difficult time support is available. Please contact the Counseling Department at 602-285-7392 to make an appointment.
Coach Jacobsen was set to begin his fifth season as head coach of the Phoenix College football team. During his tenure, he helped many players move on to four-year institutions and led Phoenix College to its first winning season and bowl appearance in over 20 years.
We extend our deepest sympathy to the family, friends, colleagues and students of Coach Jacobsen.
Anna Solley, Ed.D.
President
Paul DeRose
Vice President, Administrative Services
Samantha Ezell
Athletic Director
Stay with cbs5az.com and CBS 5 News as this story develops.
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Phoenix College head football coach Land Jacobsen
Suspect Justin McMahan
