Offender Record · OFF-2026-089
Dale Hausner (photo from the Radford University biography)
Dale Shawn Hausner
Sex
Male
Race
White
Height
5'10"
Born
1973
Custody
Deceased
States
AZ
Distinguishing featuresNo physical defects or speech defects reported.
Custody
Died June 19, 2013, by overdose of antidepressant medication (amitriptyline) in his cell at the Eyman state prison in Florence, Arizona, while on death row awaiting execution.
This record documents arrests, charges and convictions reported by courts, law enforcement agencies and news organizations. Every statement is tied to a cited source with an archived copy. A charge is an accusation, not proof of guilt; a person charged is presumed innocent unless convicted. Solve the Case does not allege that this person committed any offense beyond what the cited records state, and this record is not a suggestion that the person is connected to any unsolved case. How records are built, corrected and removed.
Summary of the record
Dale Shawn Hausner was convicted on March 13, 2009, of six counts of first-degree murder, eighteen counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, sixteen counts of aggravated assault, twenty-three counts of drive-by shooting, nine counts of animal cruelty, three counts of discharging a firearm at a structure, one count of unlawful firearm discharge, and two counts of arson of an occupied structure. The offenses occurred during a fourteen-month crime spree from June 2005 to July 2006 in the Phoenix metropolitan area, including the cities of Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, and Tolleson, Arizona. He was sentenced to six death sentences on March 27, 2009, along with consecutive life terms and approximately 365 years in prison. Hausner died by suicide on June 19, 2013, while incarcerated on Arizona's death row at the Eyman state prison complex in Florence.
Documented Arrests, Charges and Convictions
Dispositions are shown exactly as the cited records report them. Pending charges are updated when a court acts; a record with no remaining conviction or pending charge is removed from the site.
Offense date 2005, Phoenix metropolitan area, Arizona
Attempted first-degree murder
Phoenix Police Department / Maricopa County · Maricopa County Superior Court · Docket CR2006-012721 · A.R.S. § 13-1105 · Arrested Aug 03, 2006 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Consecutive prison terms
Hausner was convicted of 18 counts of attempted first-degree murder related to random drive-by shootings that wounded 19 people total across the Phoenix area.
SourcesState v. Hausner; Dale Hausner
Offense date 2005, Phoenix metropolitan area, Arizona
Conspiracy to commit first-degree murder
Phoenix Police Department / Maricopa County · Maricopa County Superior Court · Docket CR2006-012721 · A.R.S. § 13-1101, § 13-1105 · Arrested Aug 03, 2006 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Consecutive prison terms
Hausner was convicted of two counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.
SourcesState v. Hausner; Dale Hausner
Offense date May 17, 2005, Phoenix, Arizona
First-degree murder
Phoenix Police Department / Maricopa County · Maricopa County Superior Court · Docket CR2006-012721 · A.R.S. § 13-1105 · Arrested Aug 03, 2006 · Acquitted Acquitted · Sentence: Acquitted
A 39-year-old male was shot to death on May 17, 2005, in Phoenix. Hausner was charged with this murder but acquitted at trial.
Sources20 years ago this summer, Phoenix began to be terrorized by a series of random shootings; Dale Hausner
Offense date Jun 29, 2005, Tolleson, Arizona
First-degree murder
Phoenix Police Department / Maricopa County · Maricopa County Superior Court · Docket CR2006-012721 · A.R.S. § 13-1105 · Arrested Aug 03, 2006 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Death sentence
David Estrada, age 20, was shot to death on June 29, 2005, in Tolleson, Arizona with a .22 caliber rifle. Hausner was convicted of this murder and received a death sentence on March 27, 2009.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Hausner, Dale; State v. Hausner; 20 years ago this summer, Phoenix began to be terrorized by a series of random shootings
Offense date Nov 11, 2005, Phoenix, Arizona
First-degree murder
Phoenix Police Department / Maricopa County · Maricopa County Superior Court · Docket CR2006-012721 · A.R.S. § 13-1105 · Arrested Aug 03, 2006 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Death sentence
Nathaniel Shoffner, age 44, was shot and killed on November 11, 2005, in Phoenix when he attempted to protect a dog from being shot. Hausner shot Shoffner in the stomach with a .410 gauge shotgun. Hausner was convicted of this murder.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Hausner, Dale; 20 years ago this summer, Phoenix began to be terrorized by a series of random shootings; Dale Hausner
Offense date Dec 29, 2005, Phoenix, Arizona
First-degree murder
Phoenix Police Department / Maricopa County · Maricopa County Superior Court · Docket CR2006-012721 · A.R.S. § 13-1105 · Arrested Aug 03, 2006 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Death sentence
Jose Ortiz, age 44, was shot and killed on December 29, 2005, in Phoenix with a .22 caliber rifle. Hausner was convicted of this murder.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Hausner, Dale; 20 years ago this summer, Phoenix began to be terrorized by a series of random shootings; Dale Hausner
Offense date May 02, 2006, Scottsdale, Arizona
First-degree murder
Phoenix Police Department / Maricopa County · Maricopa County Superior Court · Docket CR2006-012721 · A.R.S. § 13-1105 · Arrested Aug 03, 2006 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Death sentence
A 20-year-old female was shot and killed on May 2, 2006, in Scottsdale after stepping off a bus. Samuel Dieteman fired the shotgun while Hausner drove. Hausner was convicted of this murder for his role in the offense.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Hausner, Dale; 20 years ago this summer, Phoenix began to be terrorized by a series of random shootings; Dale Hausner
Offense date Jun 08, 2006, Phoenix metropolitan area, Arizona
Arson of an occupied structure
Phoenix Police Department / Maricopa County · Maricopa County Superior Court · Docket CR2006-012721 · A.R.S. § 13-1602 · Arrested Aug 03, 2006 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Consecutive prison terms
Hausner was convicted of two counts of arson of an occupied structure for setting fires at two Walmart stores located eight miles apart on June 8, 2006, causing an estimated $25 million in damage and losses.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Hausner, Dale; Dale Hausner
Offense date Jul 30, 2006, Mesa, Arizona
First-degree murder
Phoenix Police Department / Maricopa County · Maricopa County Superior Court · Docket CR2006-012721 · A.R.S. § 13-1105 · Arrested Aug 03, 2006 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Death sentence
A 22-year-old female was shot and killed on July 30, 2006, in Mesa while walking from her parents' house. Hausner made multiple U-turns waiting for traffic to clear before firing a .410 shotgun at her. She was the last victim killed in the 14-month crime spree.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Hausner, Dale; 20 years ago this summer, Phoenix began to be terrorized by a series of random shootings; Dale Hausner
Aggravated assault
Phoenix Police Department / Maricopa County · Maricopa County Superior Court · Docket CR2006-012721 · A.R.S. § 13-1204 · Arrested Aug 03, 2006 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Consecutive prison terms
Hausner was convicted of 16 counts of aggravated assault related to his random shooting spree.
SourcesState v. Hausner; Dale Hausner
Unlawful discharge of a firearm
Phoenix Police Department / Maricopa County · Maricopa County Superior Court · Docket CR2006-012721 · A.R.S. § 13-3107 · Arrested Aug 03, 2006 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Consecutive prison terms
Hausner was convicted of one count of unlawful discharge of a firearm.
SourcesDale Hausner
Discharging a firearm at a structure
Phoenix Police Department / Maricopa County · Maricopa County Superior Court · Docket CR2006-012721 · A.R.S. § 13-3107 · Arrested Aug 03, 2006 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Consecutive prison terms
Hausner was convicted of three counts of discharging a firearm at a structure, including shots fired at a Burger King window and the ABC Bartending School.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Hausner, Dale; Dale Hausner
Animal cruelty
Phoenix Police Department / Maricopa County · Maricopa County Superior Court · Docket CR2006-012721 · A.R.S. § 13-2910 · Arrested Aug 03, 2006 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Consecutive prison terms
Hausner was convicted of nine counts of animal cruelty for shooting dogs, horses, and other animals throughout his crime spree. The Arizona Supreme Court later reversed one animal cruelty conviction for insufficient evidence regarding a horse shooting.
SourcesState v. Hausner; Dale Hausner
Drive-by shooting
Phoenix Police Department / Maricopa County · Maricopa County Superior Court · Docket CR2006-012721 · A.R.S. § 13-1104 · Arrested Aug 03, 2006 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Consecutive prison terms
Hausner was convicted of 23 counts of drive-by shooting as part of his 14-month crime spree targeting random pedestrians and cyclists.
SourcesState v. Hausner; Dale Hausner
Pattern and Background
Victim counts and the pattern of the offenses as stated by courts, agencies and the cited reporting. Suspected counts are what officials have said publicly, not a finding of this site.
6
Victims convicted
0
Victims confessed
2
Victims suspected
Active years
2005–2006
Stated motive
Thrill
Range from home
regional
Accomplice
Yes
Education
high school
Marital history
Divorced
Children
1
Died
2013-06-19 · suicide
Places Lived, Worked and Frequented
Each place and date range comes from a cited record. Dates marked approximate are as reported. Know a place that is missing? Use Edit record under the photo; a moderator reviews it before it appears.
AZ
Phoenix, Arizona
approx. 1973 – 2006 · Born in Nebraska; lived in Phoenix area during the time of his crimes
Phoenix, Arizona
1999 – 2006 · Custodian at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Phoenix, Arizona
2005 – 2006 · Boxing photographer for RingSports and Fightnews.com
Mesa, Arizona
2006 – Aug 03, 2006 · Apartment on McKellips Road where Hausner lived with Samuel Dieteman; arrested here on August 3, 2006
Florence, Arizona
Mar 30, 2009 – Jun 19, 2013 · Eyman State Prison Complex, Arizona Department of Corrections, death row; Inmate #240702
Known Vehicles
Vehicles and approximate dates of ownership or use, as reported in the cited records. A photo next to a vehicle is the vehicle itself as published.
Light blue sedan used in the shooting spree
approx. 2005 – Aug 03, 2006
Used by Hausner and Dieteman to cruise neighborhoods at night for random shooting victims
Timeline
Feb 04, 1973
Dale Shawn Hausner born in Nebraska.
Nov 1994
Hausner's two sons drowned when his wife fell asleep driving on Interstate 45.
1999
Hausner began employment as a custodian at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
May 17, 2005
Tony Mendez, age 39, shot to death in Phoenix; Hausner charged but acquitted.
May 24, 2005
Reginald Remillard, age 56, shot to death at a Phoenix bus stop; Hausner charged but acquitted.
Jun 29, 2005
David Estrada, age 20, shot and killed in Tolleson with a .22 caliber rifle; Hausner convicted.
Nov 11, 2005
Nathaniel Shoffner, age 44, shot and killed in Phoenix while attempting to protect a dog; Hausner convicted.
Dec 29, 2005
Jose Ortiz, age 44, and Marco Carillo, age 28, shot and killed in Phoenix; Hausner convicted of both murders.
May 02, 2006
A 20-year-old female shot and killed in Scottsdale; Hausner convicted.
Jun 08, 2006
Hausner convicted of arson for setting fires at two Walmart stores approximately eight miles apart, causing an estimated $25 million in damage.
Jul 30, 2006
A 22-year-old female shot and killed in Mesa; last victim in the crime spree; Hausner convicted.
Aug 03, 2006
Hausner and Samuel Dieteman arrested outside their apartment in Mesa, Arizona.
Dec 07, 2006
Hausner attempted suicide by swallowing over-the-counter drugs (antihistamines, decongestants, and pain relievers) while awaiting trial.
Sep 03, 2008
Jury selection begins for Hausner's trial.
Mar 13, 2009
Jury convicts Hausner of 80 of 86 charges, including six counts of first-degree murder.
Mar 27, 2009
Hausner sentenced to six death sentences by lethal injection and consecutive life terms.
Mar 30, 2009
Hausner arrives at Arizona Department of Corrections custody at Eyman State Prison Complex, Inmate #240702.
Jul 10, 2012
Arizona Supreme Court affirms Hausner's convictions and death sentences, reversing only one animal cruelty conviction.
Jun 19, 2013
Hausner found dead in his cell at Eyman State Prison Complex in Florence, Arizona from suicide by overdose of antidepressant medication (amitriptyline).
Sources
Solve the Case is never the original source. Each item below is the public record a statement on this page rests on, with an archived copy where one exists.
News report · Wikipedia ·
Dale Hausner and Samuel Dieteman“After being found guilty of 80 of 88 felony charges in one single trial including murder, attempted murder, arson, animal cruelty and drive-by-shootings, Hausner was sentenced to death.”
News report · 12News Phoenix ·
20 years ago this summer, Phoenix began to be terrorized by a series of random shootings“Hausner was convicted of 80 charges and would later die in an Arizona prison.”
News report · NBC News ·
Arizona Serial Killer Saved Pills Before Suicide“A convicted serial killer who committed suicide in an Arizona prison last year was likely hoarding antidepressants from a fellow inmate.”
News report · Murderpedia ·
Dale Hausner“The Arizona death row inmate was found dead in his prison cell at the Eyman state prison in Florence just after 12 p.m. June 19, the Arizona Department of Corrections said.”
Other government record · Arizona Department of Corrections ·
Dale Hausner inmate record“Inmate 240702, Dale Hausner came to ADC custody on March 30, 2009.”
Court record · Arizona Supreme Court / Justia Law ·
State v. Hausner“Defendant Dale Hausner was convicted and sentenced to death for six murders. Defendant was also convicted and sentenced for seventy-four non-capital offenses.”
Other · Radford University Department of Psychology ·
Radford University serial killer biography: Hausner, Dale“Jury announces Dale Hausner is guilty of 80 of the 86 crimes charged against him.”
News report · Tucson Citizen ·
Phoenix Serial Shooter gets 6 death sentences“Dale Shawn Hausner, a former janitor convicted two weeks ago of killing six people and attacking 19 others in random nighttime shootings, was expressionless as the decisions were announced.”
News report · East Valley Tribune ·
Evidence from Mesa murder among most incriminating“According to testimony of co-defendant Samuel Dieteman, he and Hausner had been to a grocery store and decided to drive around to shoot somebody.”
Discussion
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