Gunman Kills Mother, Bystander in Las Vegas Shooting Spree: Police

Accident – death – Obituary News : LAS VEGAS (AP) — A rifle that was stolen from a gun show in Las Vegas was found to be one of the weapons used in a tragic incident that unfolded in the desert near the suspect’s childhood home just two days after Christmas, resulting in a violent high-speed police chase and the death of three individuals. The suspect, identified as 36-year-old Justin Davidson, shot and killed his mother, Liza Leveille-Davidson, before embarking on the rampage that claimed two more lives.

The incident, which occurred in the early morning hours, left an innocent bystander, Gerardo “Jerry” Lopez-Martinez, dead. Lopez-Martinez, a father of seven, was on his way to work when he unknowingly encountered the suspect’s path. The Clark County Assistant Sheriff, Yesenia Yatomi, provided dramatic video footage during a news conference, showcasing the intense pursuit that reached speeds of up to 104 mph (167 kph).

During the investigation, evidence was collected that suggested the suspect may have been planning a large-scale attack. Investigators discovered a notebook with a hand-drawn diagram depicting a potential ambush situation, as well as a stockpile of items that could be used to create firearm silencers and explosive devices. Additionally, the suspect had in his possession more firearms and loaded magazines. The investigation also revealed documents outlining law enforcement agencies’ response protocols to mass casualty incidents.

Despite the abundance of evidence, many questions remain unanswered. Yatomi stated, “We do not know if the suspect was attempting to build an improvised explosive device. With the materials we found in his homes, we do not know why the suspect started shooting.”

Justin Davidson had a lengthy criminal history dating back to 2009, including previous arrests related to drug and weapons charges. At the time of the incident, he was clad in camouflage clothing and wearing a tactical vest. He was armed with a stolen AR rifle and an AK-47-style rifle with an obliterated serial number.

The violent spree began when officers responded to reports of gunfire coming from the desert near Davidson’s childhood home in southeastern Las Vegas. Davidson’s parents, awakened by the gunshots, drove to the area to search for their son, believing he was responsible for the gunfire. It is unclear why they immediately went to that location upon hearing the shots.

As officers arrived on the scene, Davidson opened fire on his parents, resulting in the death of his mother. He then turned his weapon towards the officers, who took cover as Davidson shot out the windows of a police cruiser. He fled the scene, heading towards the southwestern edge of the city.

Security footage presented during the news conference showed Davidson carjacking innocent bystanders at gunpoint at two different gas stations during the high-speed pursuit. Yatomi revealed that a Las Vegas police officer fired nine rounds at the suspect during the first carjacking, striking him at least once. Nevada State Police troopers joined the pursuit after the second carjacking took place.

Tragically, the suspect encountered a white van while attempting to evade the growing number of officers chasing him. In an effort to escape, Davidson shot the van’s driver multiple times. Police dashcam video captured the heart-wrenching moment when Davidson pushed the motionless body of the victim out of the van and ran him over as he sped away, leaving a cloud of dust in his wake.

The victim, Gerardo “Jerry” Lopez-Martinez, had just left for work as a driver for a medical linen supply company. He was only minutes away from his home when the incident occurred. Lopez-Martinez, a father to seven children aged between 3 and 11, had adopted six of them.

Davidson continued to flee in Lopez-Martinez’s van. Police officers fired 53 rounds at the vehicle, striking the suspect multiple times. The van eventually came to a stop, and SWAT officers approached the vehicle, discovering that the suspect had died.

Had Davidson survived, he would have faced numerous charges, including two counts of murder, assault on a police officer, grand larceny, and unlawful possession of a firearm. As part of the investigation, detectives thoroughly searched the desert area where the suspect had initially fired shots. They discovered loaded magazines of various calibers in multiple locations. However, it remains unclear whether the ammunition was left behind when the police chase began or if the suspect had hidden them in the desert beforehand.

The police investigation is ongoing, with additional locations to be searched. Assistant Sheriff Yatomi emphasized the disturbing nature of the evidence collected, stating, “We’ve painted a picture and I’ve showed you evidence of a story that should be very disturbing.”

In summary, a tragic incident unfolded in Las Vegas, with a stolen rifle from a gun show being used in a violent rampage that resulted in the death of the suspect’s mother, an innocent bystander, and ultimately the suspect himself. The evidence collected suggests the possibility of a planned large-scale attack, leaving investigators with unanswered questions. The suspect had a prior criminal history, and the incident involved a high-speed police chase and carjackings. The devastating consequences of the spree highlight the need for ongoing investigations and increased vigilance in preventing such incidents in the future..