Friends remember forensic psychiatrist who was killed in Scottsdale on Thursday

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (KSAZ) - Friends are remembering the life of a high-profile forensic psychiatrist from the Valley who was gunned down in front of his office on Thursday.

According to Sgt. Vince Lewis with Phoenix Police, 59-year-old Steven Pitt was found shot outside an office near 71st Street and Paradise Lane at 5:30 p.m. Witnesses told police they heard a loud argument outside of the office, followed by gun shots. Pitt was pronounced dead at the scene by firefighters.

Phoenix police spokesman Sgt. Vince Lewis says he had no information on whether the killing was connected to Pitt's work.

"We came in last night. We were going to have dinner with him. Didn't get ahold of him, figured we would see him today, and woke up to the news that he had been killed," said Jay Gooding, Steven Pitt's childhood friend.

It was supposed to be a fun weekend for Jay, Scott Gooding and Pitt. The friends who grew up together in Michigan, however, never got to say their goodbyes.

"He melted really well with law enforcement," said Scott Gooding. "He usually always worked on the prosecution side."

Pitt worked on many high profile cases around the country. His friends say he was aware of the people and the crimes he dealt with.

"When he went places, he looked around," said Jay. "He was cognizant of who was around him, but it wasn't something he talked a lot about. He joked about it."

Meanwhile, building manager Joann Sanchez can't believe her friend and colleague is gone

"Heart of gold," said Sanchez. "My nickname for him is Tin Man. He had a standing joke, because the out is serious, but inside, heart of gold."