Monday, Dec. 30, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.
A 31-year-old Metro Police officer has been arrested and charged with murder in the drive-by shooting death of a 21-year-old Las Vegas man.
Ron Mortenson, who has been with the department 16 months, was taken into custody Sunday night, a day after Daniel Mendoza was shot to death at 537 McKellar Circle.
"To say the department is surprised and shocked is an understatement," Clark County Sheriff Jerry Keller said today during a morning news conference. "However, we are proceeding full forward in this investigation."
A 24-year-old officer with three years' experience was driving the vehicle, a blue pickup, Keller said, noting that both officers were off duty at the time.
Deputy Chief Kyle Edwards said the identity of the second officer was not being released because he is considered a witness.
"He came forward and provided evidence to us," Edwards said. "He told us he had no knowledge that the shooting was going to take place. He did not know this was going to happen. ... He came in to talk to us and provided specific information and specific evidence."
The shooting occurred at 1:07 a.m. Saturday and officers arrived to find Mendoza dead on the ground outside the apartment, near Flamingo and Paradise roads, where a party was taking place.
According to witnesses, the pickup's passenger yelled something and then fired several shots at the crowd as the truck was speeding away, police said.
The victim, who was struck once in the upper body, died at the scene.
Mortenson, who along with the other officer was assigned to patrol the southwest area, was charged with murder and use of a deadly weapon.
Police say they have recovered the weapon but did not reveal what it was.
Mortenson and the other officer had interviewed Mendoza as part of a routine investigation into Las Vegas gangs when the three allegedly began to argue, police and court sources said.
The officers allegedly left the scene angry, and later, after having drinks together, went to McKellar Circle.
Late Sunday night or early this morning, police served a search warrant on Mortenson's residence for clothing that would link him to the crime, according to Clark County District Attorney Stewart Bell.
The officer is expected to make an initial court appearance later this week.
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