A graduation party in Mesa, Arizona, ended in deadly violence when 32-year-old Auston G. Blanks, a US Army reservist recently returned from a year-long tour in Afghanistan, was fatally shot. The celebration at Sally Johnson-Huddleston’s home was for her 17-year-old daughter. Conflict began after Brent Matthew Banks, the ex-boyfriend of Johnson-Huddleston, became enraged when he saw Johnson-Huddleston kissing Blanks. Banks punched Johnson-Huddleston outside, left to his truck, then returned with two handguns and opened fire.

Johnson-Huddleston was shot in the back of the head as she knelt, and Blanks was shot multiple times. Blanks’ 10-year-old son Hunter was also wounded. Responding officers were shot at; one was hit in the arm, suffering a shattered bone. Banks barricaded himself in the home for several hours before surrendering. Prosecutors later filed multiple charges, including two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Auston G. Blanks and Sally S. Johnson-Huddleston, plus attempted murder and aggravated assault counts, and announced an intent to seek the death penalty.

Did anyone at the party know of prior threats or incidents between Banks and Johnson-Huddleston that evening?