“Las Vegas Gun Show Theft: Man Kills Mother and Bystander in Violent Rampage”

Accident – death – Obituary News : LAS VEGAS (AP) – A firearm that was stolen from a gun show in Las Vegas was discovered to have been used in a tragic incident that took place in the desert near the suspect’s childhood home. The incident occurred just two days after Christmas, resulting in a violent high-speed police chase as the suspect carjacked innocent bystanders and fired at officers, leading to the deaths of three individuals.

The suspect, identified as Justin Davidson, embarked on a pre-dawn rampage, claiming the lives of his 58-year-old mother, a bystander who was on his way to work, and ultimately his own life. Clark County Assistant Sheriff Yesenia Yatomi shared the details of the pursuit during a news conference, presenting dramatic video footage that showcased the chase, reaching speeds of up to 104 mph (167 kph). Additionally, she revealed evidence collected by investigators, suggesting that the suspect may have been planning a large-scale attack.

Among the evidence discovered was a notebook containing a hand-drawn diagram depicting a potential ambush situation. Furthermore, investigators found a stockpile of items that could be used to construct firearm silencers and explosive devices, as well as additional firearms, loaded magazines, and documents outlining law enforcement responses to mass casualty incidents. Despite the abundance of evidence, many questions surrounding the suspect’s motive remain unanswered.

Authorities disclosed that Davidson, aged 36, had a lengthy criminal history dating back to 2009, including previous arrests on drug and weapons charges. During the rampage, he was dressed in camouflage clothing and equipped with a stolen AR rifle and an AK-47-style rifle with an obliterated serial number.

The tragic sequence of events unfolded in the early hours of Wednesday when officers were alerted to reports of gunfire in the desert near Davidson’s childhood home. Astonishingly, the suspect’s parents were awakened by the sound of gunshots and made the decision to investigate the source of the disturbance, inadvertently entering their son’s path.

As officers arrived at the scene, Davidson opened fire on his parents, resulting in the death of his mother, Liza Leveille-Davidson. Subsequently, he targeted the officers, firing upon them and even shooting out the windows of a police cruiser as they sought cover. Davidson then fled towards the southwestern edge of the city.

During the pursuit, surveillance footage captured Davidson forcefully carjacking innocent bystanders at gunpoint at two separate gas stations. Yatomi revealed that during the initial carjacking, a Las Vegas police officer fired nine rounds at the suspect, striking him at least once. The chase continued, with Nevada State Police troopers joining in the pursuit.

In a desperate attempt to evade the growing number of officers trailing him, Davidson encountered a white van that had pulled over to make way for emergency vehicles. In a shocking turn of events, the suspect shot the driver multiple times, leaving him lifeless on the ground. Disturbing police dashcam footage depicted Davidson callously pushing the victim’s motionless body out of the van before running him over and speeding away, stirring up a cloud of dust.

Karen Lopez, the grieving widow of the victim, identified as Gerardo “Jerry” Lopez-Martinez, shared that her husband had just left for work as a driver for a medical linen supply company when he met his tragic fate. Lopez-Martinez was a devoted father to seven children, six of whom were adopted, ranging in age from 3 to 11.

With Lopez-Martinez’s van now under Davidson’s control, officers fired a total of 53 rounds at the vehicle, eventually striking the suspect multiple times and bringing the van to a halt. SWAT officers cautiously approached the vehicle only to discover that the suspect had succumbed to his injuries.

Had Davidson survived, Yatomi confirmed that he would have faced numerous charges, including two counts of murder, assault on a police officer, grand larceny, and unlawful possession of a firearm. Detectives meticulously combed the desert area where the suspect had begun firing his weapon, uncovering loaded magazines of various calibers scattered throughout multiple locations. However, it remains unclear whether the ammunition was left behind during the police chase or if the suspect had been concealing them in the desert for an extended period.

The investigation into this harrowing incident continues, with law enforcement agencies expanding their search to additional locations. As Yatomi concluded the news conference, she emphasized the disturbing nature of the uncovered evidence, stating, “We’ve painted a picture and shown you evidence of a story that should be deeply unsettling.”.