Arizona man accused of killing his stepfather on Christmas after decades of abuse

An Arizona man was arrested after he fatally shot his stepfather on Christmas day, authorities reported. 

Police responded to a 911 call on December 25 around 4:30 p.m. reporting a vehicle that had backed into a residence. When the police arrived, they found an elderly man suffering from gunshot wounds. 

"Responding officers located an 80-year-old male victim with gunshot wounds inside the vehicle," the police department said in its report. "Life-saving measures were attempted but unsuccessful, and the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. There were no other reported injuries."

The victim was identified as Michael Kinney. 

Police arrested Michael Kaser, 48, as the main suspect in the Christmas murder based on witness testimony. 

"Through the subsequent investigation and witness statements, it was alleged that Kaser had shot his stepfather upon returning from a family dinner," the Gilbert Police Department stated. "Kaser was arrested and booked at the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office ITR Facility for one count of first-degree murder."

According to court documents, Kaser, his stepfather, and his mother were inside the car driving home. When they arrived at the house, Kaser allegedly got out of the car, grabbed a gun, and shot his stepfather as he pulled into the garage. He then reached into the vehicle to put it in neutral, which caused it to roll backward. 

"I killed my stepfather. I should have killed him a long time ago,” Kaser told police, claiming that he had withstood "decades of alleged physical and emotional abuse."

Kaser is held on a $1 million bond.

The investigation is ongoing.