PRESCOTT — Yavapai County Attorney Dennis McGrane announced on December 18 that a jury has convicted 49‑year‑old Taj Andre Stephens of first‑degree murder.
Stephens was also found guilty of several related felonies, including robbery, second‑degree burglary, possession of narcotic drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, and aggravated assault.
The convictions stem from a deadly shooting that took place in Prescott nearly two years ago.
According to the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office, the shooting occurred on the morning of Nov. 29, 2023, when Stephens called police to report that he had shot two people inside a Prescott home.
Officers arriving at the scene found a 24‑year‑old man who later died from his injuries and a 29‑year‑old woman who was transported to a Phoenix hospital.
Investigators determined that all three individuals had been using drugs the night before, and that tensions escalated after the male victim discovered that a gun and approximately 10 grams of cocaine had been stolen.
During a struggle, Stephens shot and killed the male victim. The same bullet also struck the female.
Before trial, the female victim pleaded guilty to manslaughter for her role in the thefts leading up to the shooting and faces 5–7 years in prison.
Faces natural life in prison
McGrane said this crime is shocking.
“I want to be clear that in Yavapai County, crimes such as these will be vigorously prosecuted,” McGrane said.
Stephens’ sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 20, 2026, before Yavapai County Superior Court Judge Michael Bluff.
He faces either natural life in prison or life with the possibility of release after 25 years for the murder conviction.
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