Phoenix police detectives have booked an 18-year-old found living in a South Phoenix home after the man he is suspected of killing was found dead in the backyard of the South Phoenix residence.

Officers were making a welfare check about 11:15 p.m. Jan. 12 at a home in the 5600 block of South Seely Street.

Neighbors reported they had not seen a man at his home in several days, according to a Phoenix Police Department release.

Officers contacted a neighbor who said they believed someone was in the home due to traffic going in and out of the residence. Authorities attempted to contact the person believed to be in the house and, during the process, saw 57-year-old David Jimenez dead in the backyard.

“Believing the home was occupied, officers established containment and contacted the person inside of the home, who was later identified as 18-year-old Xzavion Johnson,” the release stated.

After an extended barricade, Johnson left the home and was arrested.

Phoenix police homicide detectives interviewed Johnson, and he “admitted to committing a burglary of the home, during which he shot and killed Jimenez. Johnson estimated that this occurred in December of 2025. Since the date of this homicide, Johnson had been living at the home.”

Johnson was booked into jail on charges that include murder and burglary. 

Investigators do not believe that there are any additional suspects related to the homicide.

The investigation continues, police said.

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