Crime & Courts | East Las Vegas
Separated Husband Kills Wife, Then Himself in East Las Vegas, Police Say
Two daughters returning from school discovered their parents with fatal gunshot wounds inside an apartment near Nellis Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue, according to Las Vegas police.
LAS VEGAS — Two daughters returning home from school found their mother and father fatally shot inside an east Las Vegas apartment Monday afternoon in what investigators believe was a murder-suicide involving a separated married couple.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department received a 911 call at approximately 3:30 p.m. Aug. 24 from a teenage girl reporting that she had found both parents shot at a residence in the 4900 block of South Nellis Boulevard, near East Tropicana Avenue.
Officers entered the residence and located a man and woman suffering from gunshot wounds. Police began providing emergency aid until medical personnel arrived, but both were pronounced dead at the scene, according to preliminary information released by LVMPD.
Police say husband forced his way inside
LVMPD homicide investigators determined that the man and woman were married but had been separated for some time, police said.
Investigators believe the husband arrived at the apartment before the woman returned home, forced his way inside and waited for her. When the woman entered the residence, police allege that he shot her before turning the gun on himself.
The account represents investigators’ preliminary reconstruction of the shooting. LVMPD did not immediately disclose what evidence led detectives to that conclusion, and additional findings could emerge as the investigation continues.
Police described the couple as Hispanic and in their 30s. Their names had not been released as of Tuesday. The Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner is responsible for confirming their identities and officially determining the cause and manner of each death.
Why the identities have not been published
Authorities generally withhold the names of deceased people until the coroner confirms their identities and relatives have been notified. Las Vegas News will update this report if the coroner releases additional information.
Daughters returned home from school
LVMPD Lt. Robert Price said two daughters discovered their parents after returning from school. One of them, described by police as a teenager, called 911.
A guardian later took custody of the children, police said. Authorities did not release their ages or identities, and Las Vegas News is withholding any identifying information because they are minors directly affected by the deaths.
Investigators said no continuing danger to the surrounding neighborhood was known and characterized the shooting as an isolated incident. Homicide detectives nevertheless continued processing the apartment and examining the circumstances leading up to the deaths.
Homicide investigation remains active
Although police believe the shooter died at the scene, LVMPD’s Homicide Section is continuing the investigation. Detectives may review physical evidence, firearm evidence, communications, witness accounts and any available surveillance footage to establish a more complete timeline.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the LVMPD Homicide Section at 702-828-3521 or by email at [email protected].
Information may also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Nevada at 702-385-5555 or through the organization’s website.
Sources and documentation
This is a developing report. Las Vegas News will update the article if authorities release the names of the deceased or additional findings from the investigation.
