Gilbert, January 21, 2026
Gilbert, Arizona, faces the aftermath of two fatal domestic violence incidents that occurred within 48 hours, highlighting a disturbing trend in the community. Concurrently, Arizona Public Service is under fire for proposing a significant rate hike that could impact consumers across the state. The dual crises raise urgent concerns over public safety and economic stability as community leaders call for action and review.
Gilbert
Gilbert, Arizona, is grappling with the aftermath of two distinct fatal incidents that have unfolded within the last 48 hours, highlighting a concerning trend of domestic violence in the region. Simultaneously, a significant statewide controversy continues to brew as Arizona Public Service (APS) faces substantial public and official backlash over its proposed rate hike affecting customers across the state.
Tragedy Strikes Gilbert Home
On Tuesday afternoon, January 20, 2026, a tragic incident occurred at a Gilbert home following a domestic argument that escalated to a fatal shooting. Authorities responded after the couple’s daughter placed a 911 call, reporting gunshots heard during an argument between her parents. Upon arrival, officers forced entry into the residence, where they discovered a 74-year-old woman deceased and a 76-year-old man critically wounded, fighting for his life. This event contributes to a recent increase in domestic violence cases across the Valley, which has seen at least four fatalities and one critical injury over three days this week in both Phoenix and Gilbert.
Second Fatal Incident Unfolds
In a separate and equally somber development, Gilbert Police Department officers responded to a welfare check on Monday, January 19, 2026, at a residence located in the 500 block of East Sheffield Avenue. Just before 1:00 AM, officers arrived to find a 21-year-old female, Angelys Spurgeon, deceased inside the home, exhibiting evidence of a gunshot injury. Further investigation led to the detention of 26-year-old Judah Chesley, who was also present in the residence. It was determined that Spurgeon and Chesley were allegedly in a domestic relationship. Chesley was subsequently arrested and booked into the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of second-degree murder. The investigation into this incident remains ongoing.
Community Impact and Broader Concerns
The occurrence of two fatal domestic incidents within such a short timeframe has deeply affected the Gilbert community and underscores broader concerns regarding public safety and domestic violence issues. Local authorities are actively investigating both cases, emphasizing the serious nature of these events and their impact on residents. The police response in both instances involved swift action following emergency calls, leading to arrests in one case and an ongoing investigation in the other. These tragedies serve as a stark reminder of the critical importance of addressing domestic disputes and ensuring community well-being.
State-Level Controversy: APS Rate Hike
Beyond the local crime news, a significant State-level issue continues to garner widespread attention and criticism: the proposed rate hike by Arizona Public Service (APS). APS, Arizona’s largest electric service provider, delivers power to homes and businesses across 11 of the state’s 15 counties. The utility company filed a request with the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) in June 2025, seeking to update its rates to account for investments aimed at providing reliable and resilient power. This request has ignited a storm of public criticism, with many consumers expressing concern over the potential impact on their monthly utility bills.
Proposed Increases Across Customer Segments
The proposed overall rate hike by APS is approximately 14%. If approved, this increase is projected to add at least $20 to monthly electric bills for Arizona consumers, potentially amounting to over $240 to $300 annually for the average customer. Breaking down the proposal, homeowners could experience around a 16% increase, depending on their specific rate plan. Solar customers are also slated to be significantly impacted, facing a controversial monthly fee that could double to between $5 and $6. Other sectors would also see substantial increases, with churches potentially facing 16% hikes, schools 14%, and data centers, in particular, looking at the largest proposed increase of 45%.
Public and Official Opposition Mounts
The proposed rate increase has been met with considerable opposition. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has publicly condemned the proposal, describing it as “outrageous.” Her office has been granted intervention to formally oppose the rate hike request before the Arizona Corporation Commission. A key point of contention for critics is the financial performance of APS’s parent company, Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, which reported over $600 million in net income last year. Opponents argue that such profitability makes further rate increases for consumers unjustifiable.
APS Justifies Rate Adjustment
In response to the criticism, APS maintains that the proposed rate adjustment is necessary to cover rising operational costs and to continue making essential investments in its infrastructure. The company states that current rates are based on costs from three to four years ago and have not kept pace with the expenses required to operate and maintain a reliable and resilient electrical grid. APS emphasizes that this adjustment is crucial to ensure the continued delivery of power to customers’ homes and businesses, including necessary infrastructure upgrades. The utility has also highlighted that the rate update process is a public, collaborative effort with the ACC, and new rates are not expected to be implemented until the second half of 2026. This proposed increase, if approved, would mark the fourth rate hike in a decade for APS, following previous increases of 8% in 2024, 8% in 2023, and 4.5% in 2017.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are answers to common questions about the recent news in Gilbert and the APS rate hike proposal:
Q: What happened in Gilbert on Tuesday, January 20, 2026?
A: A fatal shooting occurred at a Gilbert home on Tuesday afternoon, January 20, 2026. A 74-year-old woman is dead and a 76-year-old man is fighting for his life after police responded to a 911 call reporting gunshots during an argument between parents.
Q: What happened in Gilbert on Monday, January 19, 2026?
A: On Monday, January 19, 2026, Gilbert Police found a 21-year-old female, Angelys Spurgeon, deceased from a gunshot injury during a welfare check at a home in the 500 block of East Sheffield Avenue. A 26-year-old male, Judah Chesley, was arrested on a second-degree murder charge in connection with the incident, as they were allegedly in a domestic relationship.
Q: What is the current status of the APS rate hike proposal?
A: Arizona Public Service (APS) filed a request with the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) in June 2025 to update rates. The proposal is currently facing public and official criticism, with the Arizona Attorney General’s office opposing it. New rates are not expected to go into effect until the second half of 2026.
Q: How much is APS proposing to increase rates?
A: APS is proposing an overall rate hike of approximately 14%. Homeowners could see around a 16% increase, while data centers face the largest proposed increase at 45%.
Q: What is the estimated financial impact of the proposed APS rate hike on customers?
A: If approved, the proposed rate hike could add at least $20 to monthly electric bills for Arizona consumers, potentially totaling over $240 to $300 annually for the average customer.
Q: Why is APS proposing a rate hike?
A: APS states the request is in response to rising costs to operate and maintain a reliable electrical grid and to fund essential infrastructure investments. The company claims current rates are based on costs from three to four years ago.
Q: Who is opposing the APS rate hike?
A: The Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has been granted intervention to oppose the rate hike, and there is widespread public criticism from consumers.
Key Information Summary
| Event/Topic | Key Details | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Gilbert Fatal Shooting (Jan 20, 2026) | 74-year-old woman dead, 76-year-old man critically wounded after argument and gunshots in a Gilbert home on Tuesday afternoon. | Local |
| Gilbert Fatal Shooting (Jan 19, 2026) | 21-year-old Angelys Spurgeon deceased from gunshot; 26-year-old Judah Chesley arrested on second-degree murder charge in East Sheffield Avenue home on Monday morning. | Local |
| APS Rate Hike Proposal | Arizona Public Service (APS) seeking approximately 14% overall rate increase from the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC). | State-level |
| Estimated Customer Impact (APS) | Potential increase of at least $20 monthly, or $240-$300 annually, for average Arizona consumers. | State-level |
| Specific Customer Segment Impacts (APS) | Homeowners: ~16% increase; Solar customers: monthly fee could double ($5-$6); Churches: 16%; Schools: 14%; Data Centers: 45%. | State-level |
| APS Justification | Citing rising operational costs and need for infrastructure investments; current rates based on 3-4 year old costs. | State-level |
| Opposition to APS Hike | Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and public consumers criticize the proposal, noting APS’s parent company reported over $600 million in net income last year. | State-level |
| Timeline for APS Rate Change | New rates not expected to take effect until the second half of 2026. | State-level |
Now Happening on X
- @FOX10Phoenix (January 21, 2026, 3:00 AM): FOX 10 Phoenix covers the nightly roundup, including a tragic argument at a Gilbert home ending in fatalities, APS facing public backlash over its rate increase proposal, and other top stories in the Phoenix area. View on X
- @FOX10Phoenix (January 20, 2026, 3:00 AM): FOX 10 Phoenix reports on several deaths in Phoenix homes, including a North Phoenix couple’s apparent murder-suicide, alongside potential voter decisions on banning traffic cameras in Arizona. View on X
- @azfamily (January 17, 2026, 2:44 AM): Community tips lead to an arrest in a deadly stabbing incident in downtown Phoenix, as reported by azfamily 3TV CBS 5. View on X
- @12News (January 16, 2026, 10:23 AM): Police are investigating a shooting in downtown Phoenix where a man was found with life-threatening injuries, and another man was detained at the scene. View on X
- @FOX10Phoenix (January 16, 2026, 4:30 AM): The Phoenix Police Department is investigating a shooting that left a man dead near 9th Avenue and Van Buren Street. View on X
- @KTAR923 (January 14, 2026, 5:46 PM): A homicide investigation is underway after a man was found dead in central Phoenix. View on X
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Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
