Sedona AZ (June 1, 2015) – On May 28, 2015, at approximately 2:00 a.m., Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the 32500 block of West Camino Oso, Bridge Canyon, Seligman, Arizona, regarding an attempted murder.

Upon arrival, YCSO could not locate the 29-year-old male victim, or the gunman. While checking the area, deputies eventually found the victim hiding in brush along Fort Rock Road. He indicated the suspect had tried to shoot him earlier with a pistol and a rifle before he was able to flee and hide. The suspect was now driving in the area, apparently armed, and still searching for the victim.

Deputies identified the gunman as Titus Whorf, 27, of Seligman. The victim was not injured, but very shaken by the assault. The victim stated he has known Whorf for about fourteen years and was planning to buy a home near Whorf in the Bridge Canyon Estates.

That night, the two men were visiting a friend in Seligman and eventually left, both riding together in a vehicle back to the Whorf’s Bridge Canyon home where the victim planned on staying the night. Both had been drinking alcoholic beverages, and during the drive back, Whorf suddenly became enraged and pointed a handgun at the victim for unknown reasons. The victim diffused the situation by giving Whorf a gun he was carrying. After arriving at Whorf’s home and while still outside, Whorf again became enraged and made threats to kill the victim.

As the victim was trying to calm him down, Whorf fired shots from a handgun within a 15 foot distance of the victim who thought he had been hit. When the victim told Whorf he had been shot, Whorf replied that is was time to “finish things.” The victim, believing Whorf was going to kill him, was able to flee into the wilderness while hearing Whorf prepare another gun for the ready.

As the victim ran, Whorf fired several more rounds from a rifle in his direction. While the victim hid, he could see Whorf driving around looking for him. He called 911 and continued moving and hiding to avoid Whorf until he spotted a YCSO deputy in the area. Checking the victim further, deputies discovered apparent bullet holes in the victim’s short pants indicating rounds had just missed his body.

Whorf could not be located immediately. At approximately 10:00 in the morning, Whorf agreed to turn himself into the Seligman Sheriff’s Office. Whorf was interviewed and admitted firing rounds at the victim after an argument ensued, claiming the victim refused to leave his property. Whorf was arrested and booked at the Camp Verde Detention Center on Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and remains in-custody on a $150,000 bond.

A search warrant was served at Whorf’s home and several firearms seized, including those used during the attempted homicide. Deputies also discovered evidence, in and around the home and property, of rounds fired at Whorf’s victim.

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