Neighbor arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder

Charles Van Middlestate, 37, was booked into Pima County Jail on suspicion of first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of Michael A. Bowers, 34, both of the 800 block of East Fourth Street.

Officers responding to a report of shots fired early April 14 found Bowers dead on the back steps of the two-story fourplex. He apparently had been shot in the chest and shoulder.

A Tucson police SWAT team bashed their way into Van Middlestate's apartment the morning of the slaying, after he refused to talk to authorities. He was taken into custody, interviewed and released later the same day.

Homicide detectives served a search warrant on Middlestate's apartment about 1:30 yesterday afternoon, where he was arrested without incident.

Van Middlestate also uses the names Eli Edmark, Charles Edmark and Eli Van Middlestate, police said.

Residents of the apartments one block north of Coronado Residence Hall said last week that Middlestate was known not only to use different names but also to pose as a minister and a record producer.

Neighbors speaking on condition of anonymity also said Middlestate appears to be mentally unstable and is rumored to keep written files on the other residents of the apartments. Residents also told police Van Middlestate and Bowers had had a long-standing feud.

Middlestate was being held without bond until his arraignment, set for 2 p.m. today.