On the evening of Sunday, January 18, 2026, a domestic tragedy unfolded in a north Phoenix neighborhood, claiming the lives of a married couple. Phoenix police officers were dispatched at approximately 5:15 p.m. to a residence located in the area of Interstate 17 and Bell Road. The call to authorities reported an “unknown trouble” at the home, prompting the immediate police response.
Upon entering the residence, officers discovered a man and a woman inside, both suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Emergency medical personnel were summoned to the scene, but the injuries sustained by both individuals were fatal. They were pronounced dead at the home.
Through a preliminary investigation, Phoenix police homicide detectives developed a working theory of the incident. They believe that 42-year-old Sally Ertebati fatally shot her husband, Sam Ertebati, before turning the gun on herself. The case is being investigated as an apparent murder-suicide. Authorities have stated there is no ongoing threat to the surrounding community, as the incident was contained to the family home.
A profoundly distressing detail of the case is that the couple’s two children were inside the home at the time of the shooting. Police confirmed that the children were not physically harmed and did not witness the fatal incident. The Department of Child Safety was immediately engaged, and the children were placed in the care of other family members. Victim services and counseling resources are being provided to support the children’s safety and well-being in the wake of this trauma.
The Phoenix Police Department continues its active investigation into the deaths of Sam and Sally Ertebati. Detectives are working to understand the circumstances and potential motives that led to this violent conclusion inside their home. The case remains open as they finalize their findings.
The sudden and violent loss of both parents has sent shockwaves through the local community and the couple’s extended family. The incident underscores the complex and often hidden nature of domestic conflicts that can escalate to the point of catastrophic violence, leaving children orphaned and a community searching for answers.
