Isle man arrested
in Arizona

A 39-year-old Waikiki man is being held on $1 million bail in an Arizona jail on suspicion of murdering his 74-year-old mother with a samurai-type sword and handgun.

John V. Fitzgerald had just arrived at his mother's Sun City West home when an argument began shortly before 7:37 p.m. Friday, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.

Fitzgerald "started causing trauma to her head using a sword," said Sgt. Kip Rustenburg, spokeswoman for the sheriff's office. He also allegedly fired multiple shots at his mother using a handgun, she said.

Fitzgerald fled, and the victim's fiance ran next door and called 911.

Deputy sheriffs arrived at the home at 12955 West Blue Sky Drive and found Margaret M. Larkin "obviously murdered," Rustenburg said.

Deputy sheriffs searched for Fitzgerald and found him carrying a handgun as he walked along a street a couple of blocks away, Rustenburg said.

He was booked on first-degree murder charges and is being held in the Maricopa County jail.

Larkin's family declined comment.

Rustenburg described Sun City West as a quiet retirement community with lots of senior-based activities.