Suspect arrested in deadly shooting in Chandler picked up shell casings as ‘souvenirs’

CHANDLER, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) — Chandler detectives arrested a man they say for no reason shot at a couple checking their mail, killing the husband on Monday afternoon. Officers were called to the area of Hunt Highway and Cooper Road after a woman reported that her husband, later identified as 58-year-old Matthew Miller, had been shot. Around 5 p.m., investigators found Miller shot to death. His wife told police they were checking their mail when 31-year-old Channing Vanderbilt confronted him and opened fire.

Authorities also found Vanderbilt still at the scene, acting as a bystander. Police said they found the gun in his car and he was then arrested. Detectives say police had responded to the neighborhood earlier that morning for a similar report of a shooting but didn’t find any evidence of a crime. Investigators are still working to determine if the two shootings are connected and how Vanderbilt knew the victim or what led up to the shooting.

“My concern was that we were at risk that it was a drive-by-shooting something like that. I called 911 and hung up the phone and immediately started sobbing,” said Karley Beaudette, who lives near the shooting.

According to arrest documents, Vanderbilt denied being involved in the shooting and said that he had “felt targeted” over the past several years but did not elaborate. As to the shooting, he said he ran to the truck to check and see whether the victim’s wife was OK. Vanderbilt said that’s when he picked up the shell casings as “souvenirs.” However, he said he didn’t own any guns and believed someone else had placed him in his car. Officers detailed that his statements were inconsistent.

Arizona’s Family spoke with the woman who was in her backyard when someone started shooting at her wall. Fortunately, she was not hit. “All of a sudden it was pop pop pop,” the homeowner said. “I am very grateful to God that I was okay. I feel horrible for that family.”

Vanderbilt now faces charges of first-degree murder, aggravated assault, endangerment, and weapons discharge.

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