LAS VEGAS (TCD) — A 36-year-old man is dead after allegedly fatally shooting his mother, leading police on a lengthy car chase, and killing a father during a carjacking spree last week.
According to a news release from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, on Wednesday, Dec. 27, shortly after 3:40 a.m., officers responded to a report of a shooting in the area of Placid Street and Maulding Avenue. Justin Davidson allegedly fired shots at his family home and then headed to the wash area behind the residence.
Davidson’s parents reportedly woke up to the gunfire, went toward the wash area, and Davidson started shooting toward them. Davidson allegedly killed his mother as a result, and his father fled in his truck.
Upon officers’ arrival, police said Davidson began shooting toward them, and officers tried to seek cover. Davidson reportedly went up to a locked police vehicle, shot out the windows, entered the vehicle, and drove off.
A police pursuit ensued, but Davidson allegedly left the police car and went on to carjack multiple people in a truck at gunpoint and then drove to a gas station in the 8500 block of Blue Diamond Road. The truck occupants were unharmed.
At the gas station, Davidson allegedly tried to carjack someone in an SUV while they were pumping gas. Police said an officer went into the parking lot and observed Davidson aiming a gun at the citizen in the SUV. The officers reportedly discharged a gun, and Davidson fled in the SUV.
According to police, as the pursuit continued, Davidson reportedly went up to a van and shot at it. The van stopped. Davidson left the stolen SUV and fired another shot into the van before entering and pushing the victim out. At the scene, four officers discharged their firearms and shot at Davidson, hitting him numerous times, police said. Davidson drove away in the van and allegedly ran over the victim, later identified by KVUU-TV as 39-year-old Jerry Lopez.
According to police, officials pronounced the victim dead at the scene.
Davidson reportedly stopped near Durango Drive and Agate Avenue. He refused officers’ orders to exit the van, and SWAT and Crisis Negotiators responded to assist. Officials noticed there was no movement in the van, so police went in with medics and saw that Davidson was dead.
According to police, investigators recovered a “notebook with a diagram of a potential ambush situation indicating Davidson was prepared for an armed confrontation with law enforcement.” Investigators also found evidence in two homes associated with Davidson, including “tactical equipment, prepper supplies, numerous military manuals, and documents regarding police responses to mass casualty incidents.”
Lopez’s wife told KVUU that she and her husband had been married for 13 years and share seven kids. Six of the couple’s children had reportedly been adopted from foster care.
Lopez’s wife also said her husband worked as a driver for a medical company and was going to work at the time of the incident.
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