Drew Meneses Charged in Fatal Punch Outside Scottsdale Bar

Drew Meneses, a 24-year-old from Arizona, is charged with second-degree murder and aggravated assault in the death of 29-year-old Thomas John “T.J.” Pizzitola, who was fatally punched outside a bar in Old Town Scottsdale in October 2025. A judge set his bond at $1 million cash.¹ Four other people were arrested in connection with the same incident.

What Happened Outside the Bar

Around 2:00 a.m. on October 11, 2025, Pizzitola and two friends were ejected from Pattie’s First Avenue Lounge on 1st Avenue near Scottsdale Road and walked toward a rideshare pickup area in the rain.² One of Pizzitola’s friends reportedly bumped into Krista Molina, a 27-year-old woman standing near an awning. The friend apologized and the group tried to walk away, but Molina began arguing, and the four men with her followed instead of letting them leave.³

Prosecutors described cellphone video showing Pizzitola standing with his arms at his sides when Meneses walked up behind him and punched him in the head without warning. Prosecutors called it a “sucker punch” that “blindsided” the victim. The blow knocked Pizzitola unconscious, and he fell to the concrete and suffered a severe brain injury. The video also reportedly showed Meneses continuing to punch Pizzitola in the torso and face as he lay on the ground.³

The other men in the group then attacked Pizzitola’s two friends, swarming and punching them as they tried to protect themselves on the ground. All five suspects fled. Officers found Pizzitola unconscious on the sidewalk at about 2:15 a.m.¹ He was taken to a hospital and pronounced brain dead without regaining consciousness.

The Charges and the Five Arrests

Scottsdale police spent nearly two weeks investigating before executing search warrants in Phoenix, Chandler, and Tempe on October 22, 2025. All five suspects were arrested that day.⁴

Drew Meneses, 24: second-degree murder and aggravated assault; booked into the Maricopa County Jail.
Julius Husser, 27: aggravated assault and assault; booked into the Maricopa County Jail.
Tony Becker, 26: aggravated assault and assault; booked into the Maricopa County Jail.
Mark Whitford, 23: aggravated assault; booked into the Maricopa County Jail.
Krista Molina, 27: assault and disorderly conduct; taken to Scottsdale City Jail.³

Meneses faces the most serious charges by far. At his first court appearance, prosecutors told the judge he has a prior felony conviction for a separate violent crime. Specifics of that prior conviction have not been publicly reported.³

What Meneses Faces if Convicted

Second-degree murder is a class 1 felony under Arizona law.⁵ The standard sentencing range is a minimum of 10 years, a presumptive term of 16 years, and a maximum of 25 calendar years in prison. For a defendant with a prior qualifying violent felony, the range increases to a minimum of 15 years, a presumptive 20 years, and a maximum of 29 years.⁶ Because prosecutors flagged Meneses’s prior violent felony at his initial appearance, the enhanced range could apply if he is convicted.

Who T.J. Pizzitola Was

Pizzitola was 29 and weeks away from becoming a father. His wife, Krisan Pizzitola, was pregnant with their first child, a boy they planned to name TJ Vito, due in November 2025.⁷ His family said he “wanted to be the best father ever and the best husband.”⁸

1
FOX 10 Phoenix. 5 Arrested in Deadly Scottsdale Fight
2
Arizona’s Family. Homicide Investigation: Man Dies After Fight Outside Scottsdale Bar
3
Arizona’s Family. 5 Arrested After Man Dies in Fight Outside Old Town Scottsdale Bar
4
KTAR News. 5 Arrested in Man’s Death in Scottsdale
5
Arizona Legislature. A.R.S. § 13-1104, Second Degree Murder
6
Arizona Legislature. A.R.S. § 13-710, Sentencing for Second Degree Murder
7
FOX 10 Phoenix. Pregnant Widow Mourns Husband Killed in Scottsdale Bar Fight
8
People. Dad-to-Be Killed in Bar Fight Weeks Before Birth