TUCSON, Arizona (13 News) – The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has arrested four men in connection with a murder near Lake Rose Canyon earlier this month.
Malik Brooks, 24, was found dead off Lake Catalina Highway in the early hours of Saturday, April 2nd.
Derek Devon Alfonso Ash, Christopher Charles Ellis, Quinton Lucas Holt and Muhyiddin Omari Kassim have all been arrested and charged.
Ash, 19, is being held without bail at the Pima County Adult Detention Center for conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. On January 13, 2023, he was found guilty of weapons misconduct.
Ellis, 22, was arrested by federal marshals in Texas and will be extradited to Arizona. An assault charge was filed against him in Texas on Wednesday, April 19.
Holt, 23, and Qasim, 21, are being held at the Pima County Adult Detention Center on $250,000 bail. Both have been charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.
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CBS 4 in El Paso I spoke with Brooks’ mother, Demetra Holland, about his death.
Holland said Brooks had been lured to Tuscon with the promise of performing at a rap concert, which was confirmed by court documents.
“They tore my best friend out of my arms and now I don’t have him,” Holland said.
Holland begged his son not to go to Arizona on April 1.
“I didn’t want him to leave. she said. she said.
Brooks was on the phone with his mother five minutes before he was killed. In that call, his mother said she told her she felt Brooks shot her in the head.
She said the call ended and her son messaged her one last time.
“He said to me, ‘Mom, I love you. I’m G.’ Those were the last words I heard from my son,” Holland said.
Brooks was described by his mother as a loving person who always helps others.
“He was happy and fun-loving. If you needed money, went bankrupt, or your car ran out of gas, he would give you the last thing.
She texted the suspect accused of murdering her son.
“I just want justice for my baby. I want justice. I want there to be men who did this to my son. I don’t want God to hurt them because , because it’s too easy. I hope to be punished under the law.”
An investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call 88-CRIME or 911.
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