LAS VEGAS — An 11-year-old child was shot and killed Thursday night in what detectives are calling one of the most disturbing road-rage homicides the Las Vegas Valley has seen this year. The shooting occurred along the western beltway shortly after 9 p.m., according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

The incident unfolded near the 215 Beltway and Sunset Road, where detectives say two vehicles became involved in a confrontation while traveling eastbound. The vehicles continued for a short distance before gunfire erupted.

The child, who was seated inside the targeted vehicle with family members, was struck at least once. Despite immediate attempts to render aid, the child died at the scene.

Sequence of Events Under Investigation

According to LVMPD Homicide Lt. Jason Johansson, early evidence suggests the encounter began as a verbal or gestural dispute between the occupants of the two vehicles. Investigators believe the argument escalated as the vehicles continued along the beltway.

Detectives are reviewing freeway cameras, nearby commercial surveillance systems, and potential dash-cam footage to piece together the moments leading to the shooting. Johansson said investigators are still working to determine the exact interaction before the shots were fired.

The suspect’s vehicle — described preliminarily as a dark-colored sedan or crossover-style vehicle — sped away immediately after the gunfire. Police believe the suspect fled eastbound before exiting the beltway, but the exact route is still being established.

Family Rendered Aid, Immediately Called 911

The driver of the victim’s vehicle pulled to the shoulder and called 911 within moments of the shooting. Medical personnel from Clark County Fire Department arrived within minutes, but Johansson said the child’s injuries were “not survivable.”

Officers closed multiple lanes of the 215 for several hours as crime-scene analysts combed the roadway for shell casings, trajectory evidence, and any debris that may help identify the suspect vehicle.

Appeal for Witnesses and Video

Detectives are urging anyone who was driving in the area between Durango Drive and Rainbow Boulevard between 8:50 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. to review their dash-camera recordings.

“Even a few seconds of video — a headlight pattern, a bumper, a partial plate — can be enough to identify a suspect,” Johansson said, emphasizing that minor visual details can be critical in freeway shooting cases.

Police are also asking businesses near the eastbound beltway frontage roads, especially those with elevated cameras or rear-lot angles, to check their footage from the relevant timeframe.

Community Impact and Public Safety Concerns

The killing marks one of several freeway-related shootings under investigation in Clark County this year. Law enforcement officials have repeatedly warned drivers about the rise in armed road-rage incidents, noting that many cases begin with aggressive driving, merging disputes, or perceived slights.

LVMPD has expanded patrol presence in certain freeway corridors and continues to coordinate with Nevada State Police to track violent confrontations on major roadways. Thursday’s shooting is expected to intensify calls for additional enforcement and public-awareness campaigns.

Victim Services and Family Support

Metro’s Victim Services and Trauma Intervention teams responded to the scene to assist the family. The child’s identity has not yet been publicly released pending official coroner notification.

Counseling resources have been offered to the family and are available to any witnesses who stopped to assist at the scene. Detectives say several motorists pulled over after hearing gunfire and seeing the victim’s vehicle come to a stop.

Police Ask for Help Identifying the Shooter

Anyone with information is urged to contact the LVMPD Homicide Section at 702-828-3521.
Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555 or online.

Police say even small tips can be significant — including details from motorists who may not have realized they witnessed part of the confrontation.

Investigation Continues

Johansson said the department is committing significant investigative and forensic resources to the case, noting that freeway-based homicides are among the most difficult to solve due to high speeds, limited visibility, and multiple exits that allow suspects to flee quickly.

“This is every family’s worst nightmare,” Johansson said. “There is no justification for what happened tonight, and we will use every available tool to identify the person responsible.”

More updates are expected as detectives continue to recover evidence, confirm vehicle descriptions, and interview additional witnesses.