Phoenix, AZ – Police Search for Killer of Well-Respected Prominent Jewish Businessman

Phoenix, AZ – A prominent Jewish activist was found slain inside his Phoenix real-estate office, sending police on a search for the killer and a community reeling from the loss.

The body of Irving Shuman, 84, was discovered Tusday about 7:15 p.m. after he failed to show for a dinner appointment. His gold 1998 Lexus GS300 remained missing Wednesday. Police have not released a cause of death, nor have they publicly speculated about a motive.

Those who knew Shuman described him as “a giant” in the Jewish community. For decades, Shuman was active in Jewish associations and pro-Israel lobbies in support of a strong U.S.-Israeli alliance.
He also was the recipient of several top local honors for his service, including the Tree of Life award by the Jewish National Fund in Arizona and the Medal of Honor, the highest prize from the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix.

“Irv Shuman was a man of exceptional values,” said Rabbi Ariel Shoshan, who studied Torah with Shuman and other executives on Thursday mornings for the past five years. “He lived for causes like the well-being of Israel and the furtherance of Jewish education and was an active supporter of over 100 charities.”

“If you know the word, he was a mensch (Yiddish for a person of greatest character),” said Adam Schwartz, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation in Phoenix. “He was a real gentleman . . . Tireless, deeply committed and passionate. I would use any of those combinations of words to describe him. “This is just a sad day.”

Several friends who congregated near the crime scene at Seventh Avenue and Camelback Road said they knew of no reason Shuman was targeted and speculated his slaying was a random act of violence.

Robert Martinez was working at the dry-cleaning business next to Shuman’s office, Standard Realty & Development Co., when the killing occurred. Martinez said that a neighboring hotel brings in “a weird crowd” but that the area is not considered dangerous.

Whoever it was, “some stupid, selfish person who had no idea what Irv’s life meant to his friends, his family and his community, just snuffed out a wonderful, wonderful life,” said Sen. Jon Kyl when reached by phone at the Republic National Convention. Shuman was a friend and supporter of the Arizona senator. “It just leaves one feeling empty.”

Shuman was the owner of Standard Realty & Development Co. Arizona Department of Real Estate records show he was a self-employed broker operating in the Valley since 1968.

Tom Ambrose, executive director of Phoenix Suns Charities, said that Shuman made a successful business in the 1970s out of building Circle K stores in the Valley. Shuman was the Phoenix Suns’ first-ever season-ticket holder.

Despite Shuman’s successes, family and friends described him as having lived modestly. “He made living beneath his means an art form,” daughter Dannielle Shuman Heller said. “Even as successful as was, he was recycling, doing solar way before it became fashionable and trendy. He was always using things until they were kaput. The raincoat he wore he had since World War II because he believed it was the right way to live.”

Shuman Heller, who lives in Colorado, said that her father was in excellent health; he regularly played racquetball and remained spry. She, her sister and a brother flew into Phoenix early today to meet with detectives. “This is the worst thing in the whole world,” she said. “He was stolen from us. He was such a good, good man, and it’s so senseless.”

Still missing is Shuman’s Lexus, a four-door sedan with Arizona plate 480CAT. A novelty plate on the front of the car says, “Gammage.” Police urge anyone with information to call 911 or contact Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.