“Las Vegas Shooter Kills Mother, Bystander, and Himself in Violent Rampage: Latest Details”

Accident – death – Obituary News : LAS VEGAS (AP) — An alarming incident unfolded in the outskirts of Las Vegas on the day after Christmas, resulting in a violent high-speed police chase that left three people dead. The suspect, identified as 36-year-old Justin Davidson, shot and killed his mother, carjacked innocent bystanders, and fired at officers before meeting his demise.

According to Clark County Assistant Sheriff Yasenia Yatomi, a rifle stolen from a Las Vegas gun show was among the weapons used by Davidson during his rampage. In a news conference held on Friday, Yatomi presented dramatic video footage of the pursuit, reaching speeds of up to 104 mph (167 kph), as well as evidence collected by investigators that suggests the suspect may have been planning a large-scale attack. This evidence includes a notebook containing a hand-drawn diagram of a potential ambush situation, a stockpile of items that could be used to build firearm silencers and explosive devices, additional firearms and loaded magazines, and documents outlining law enforcement response to mass casualty incidents.

However, Yatomi admitted that many questions remain unanswered, particularly regarding the suspect’s motive and why he started shooting. Davidson’s criminal history, dating back to 2009, revealed previous arrests on drug and weapons charges.

During the early hours of Wednesday, officers were called to investigate reports of gunfire emanating from the desert near Davidson’s childhood home in southeastern Las Vegas. As officers arrived, Davidson opened fire on his parents, resulting in the tragic death of his 58-year-old mother, Liza Leveille-Davidson. Subsequently, the suspect targeted the responding officers, shooting out the windows of a police cruiser before fleeing towards the southwestern edge of the city.

Footage from security cameras showed Davidson carjacking unsuspecting individuals at gunpoint at two different gas stations during the pursuit. In the first carjacking, a Las Vegas police officer fired nine rounds at the suspect, injuring him at least once. Nevada State Police troopers joined the chase after the second carjacking.

The situation took a devastating turn when Davidson encountered a white van that had pulled over to allow emergency vehicles to pass. In an attempt to evade the growing number of pursuing officers, Davidson fired multiple shots at the driver, causing fatal injuries. Shockingly, the suspect then pushed the lifeless body out of the van and callously ran over it as he made his escape.

One of the victims of this senseless act was Gerardo “Jerry” Lopez-Martinez, a 39-year-old father of seven who had just left for work as a driver for a medical linen supply company. Lopez-Martinez’s wife, Karen Lopez, expressed her grief over the loss of her beloved husband. The couple had adopted six of their seven children, who range in age from 3 to 11.

With Lopez-Martinez’s van now under his control, Davidson continued to evade authorities. Officers fired a total of 53 rounds at the vehicle, striking the suspect multiple times. Eventually, the van came to a stop, and SWAT officers approached to find that the suspect had succumbed to his injuries.

If Davidson had 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.

In the aftermath of the incident, detectives meticulously searched the desert area where the suspect had initially opened fire. 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 been hiding them in the desert beforehand.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have additional locations to search for further evidence. Assistant Sheriff Yatomi concluded the news conference by stating, “We’ve painted a picture and I’ve shown you evidence of a story that should be very disturbing.”

As the community mourns the loss of innocent lives and grapples with the aftermath of this tragic event, it serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and the need for law enforcement agencies to remain prepared to respond to such incidents..