Buckeye woman arrested in shooting death of 2-year-old son

BUCKEYE, Ariz. (KSAZ) - Three days after a 2-year-old boy was shot and killed inside his home, his own mother was arrested.

Police believed from the beginning that 26-year-old Alyssa Pettibone shot and killed her own child. She was not at her initial court appearance, which took place at the 4th Avenue Jail, but her parents and attorney were in attendance. Her parents told the judge they would watch over their adult daughter.

The question remains, why do police believe she pulled the trigger?

Neighbors in this Buckeye community remain quiet about what went on inside the home near 230th Avenue and Yuma Road on Friday night. Police discovered the boy who was shot and killed. His mother was bleeding from stab wounds, but police say they were not searching for a suspect in this tragic shooting.

"There was somebody injured, but no suspects, so I was thinking accidental or accidental shooting," said Jeff Morris, who lives down the street from the scene. When he finally learned what happened, he was shocked.

"I don't understand why a mother would do that to her child. You hear a lot about this.. holidays bring out the worst in people I guess," he said.

Pettibone has been charged with second-degree murder. Investigators don't believe a third person is involved. Buckeye police have not released many details.

After two and a half days at a hospital, Pettibone was released and immediately booked into jail. 

From the outside, neighbors say they never imagined a horrific situation like this would happen.

"It's quiet, no problems with anybody," said Morris.

Again, Pettibone is accused of shooting and killing her son inside their home. She's facing murder charges, so police don't believe this terrible shooting was an accident.