Speed Camera Killer: First Degree Murder Charge From County Attorney

Thomas Destories, the man accused of killing a photo radar van operator, is being charged with first-degree murder.

"This victim was doing his job when he became the victim of a murder that the State alleges was premeditated," Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas stated in a news release following an afternoon press conference. "We will seek justice for the family of Mr. Georgianni. That task has been made easier thanks to the excellent work of officers with the Department of Public Safety and Phoenix Police Department."

See below for the rest of the news release:

Suspect in Speed Camera Shooting Accused of First-Degree Murder

County Attorney Andrew Thomas announced today that his office has filed a criminal complaint in Maricopa County Superior Court accusing Thomas Patrick Destories of first-degree murder, drive-by shooting, and discharge of a firearm at a structure in connection with the April 19, 2009 shooting death of Douglas Georgianni.

According to the probable cause statement filed by Phoenix Police, Georgianni was working inside a marked photo-radar van parked on the shoulder of the Loop 101 freeway near 7th Street. The victim was seated inside the van behind the driver's seat. He was doing paperwork and the interior light was on. The probable cause statement goes on to say the suspect's vehicle slowed down and pulled up behind the van.

The suspect then allegedly fired five rounds at the vehicle. Three of the rounds were in a tight pattern and grouped on the driver's side front window. Georgianni, struck by the gunfire, was rushed to the hospital, where he died of his injuries.

Destories was arrested the next morning thanks to surveillance video, eyewitnesses and skilled police work. Deputy County Attorney Burt Jorgensen is prosecuting the case.