A Scottsdale man allegedly opened fire at an apartment complex after neighbours refused his offer of cocaine, telling them the rejection was “offensive to his culture”, according to court documents.
Samuel Ellery Sedgwick, 49, is accused of assaulting residents at the property near Miller and Osborn roads on Thursday, October 15, before returning with a handgun and firing ten rounds. He faces several felony charges, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and shooting at a building. ([fox10phoenix.com](https://fox10phoenix.com/news/scottsdale-man-said-refusing-cocaine-was-offensive-his-culture-before-shooting-up-apartment-police-say))
Scottsdale shooting followed alleged cocaine dispute
Scottsdale police were called to the complex at about 10.45am following reports of an assault. Investigators allege that Sedgwick entered a neighbour’s flat without permission while appearing to be under the influence and offered cocaine to people inside.
When they declined, he reportedly claimed the refusal was offensive to his culture, removed his shirt and attacked one of the men with his fists and feet. A second resident then struck Sedgwick twice in the face with a claw hammer, police said, fearing the man was about to be seriously hurt.
According to the police account, Sedgwick responded by producing a 9mm Glock from a backpack, threatening to kill the occupants, striking the injured man with the weapon and spraying mace inside the flat before leaving.
Investigators allege that Sedgwick returned to his own nearby home, saw that the hammer blows had chipped a tooth and said: “No one chips his tooth and gets away with it.” He then allegedly rode back to the complex on a bicycle and began shooting.
The gunfire struck a covered parking area and a neighbouring flat rather than the apartment Sedgwick believed he was targeting. One bullet went through a window and lodged in the ceiling; the resident was not at home at the time. One of the men involved in the earlier confrontation was taken to hospital with a head injury and possible broken ribs. ([fox10phoenix.com](https://fox10phoenix.com/news/scottsdale-man-said-refusing-cocaine-was-offensive-his-culture-before-shooting-up-apartment-police-say))
Officers arriving as the shots were fired saw Sedgwick riding away and arrested him within minutes at a nearby community. Police later recovered a loaded handgun beside a bin, while a search of his flat allegedly found matching ammunition, pepper spray and a bag containing a white powdery substance.
Sedgwick, who police say acknowledged that previous felony convictions barred him from possessing a firearm, was treated for facial injuries before being booked into Maricopa County Jail. A judge set bail at $100,000, and he is due to appear for a preliminary hearing on October 26, 2026. The allegations have not been tested in court. ([fox10phoenix.com](https://fox10phoenix.com/news/scottsdale-man-said-refusing-cocaine-was-offensive-his-culture-before-shooting-up-apartment-police-say))
