Suspect seen in court for motel shooting

The suspect involved in Saturday’s Super 8 Motel shooting was in court Tuesday where he was formally charged with premeditated first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon.

According to the defense attorney, his client 37-year-old Steven Brown has no criminal history and is a husband and father of two children. He also has worked as a wedding planner and has close ties to the community of Yuma.

For the victim’s family, they’re still grieving their loss of 28-year-old Pearla Patton and want justice to be served moving forward.

“All I can share about her is that I love her and miss her. She was good, she was a good mother, wife, daughter.”

Anabel Sanchez is Pearla’s sister and said the family is not only devastated but confused in what she was doing in Yuma.

“She’s from Phoenix. None of us know what she was doing down here. That’s what we’re waiting for and to find out what really happened,” Sanchez said.

According to Pearla’s husband, Josh Patton, she was visiting her mother in San Luis, Ariz. with their son. The details are still unclear as to what she was doing at Super 8 motel early Saturday morning and what her relationship is with the suspect, Steven Brown.

Steven Brown is being held on a $1 million dollar bond and will be seen in court on July 10th.

The family will be hosting a car wash fundraiser in Phoenix at 75th Ave. and Indian School Rd. at Fredrico’s on July 7th and 8th.