Sale of guns links murder suspects

Cathy Scott

Friday, Aug. 15, 1997 | 9:44 a.m.

Selling the guns gave them away, police said.

Metro Police have identified three suspects whom they believe worked together in three killings over four months "for the thrill of it," homicide Sgt. Ken Hefner said. In at least one case, the gunmen laughed as they fired at a victim.

The murders weren't linked until undercover gang officers bought guns from the suspects. The guns were later linked to the murders. Gang detectives made the purchase after the suspects advertised on the street that they had guns for sale, Hefner said.

"The murders were, to a large degree, overkill," Hefner said. "They were unnecessary and particularly brutal. The victims were minding their own business."

Before dawn on May 27, 1996, Michael John Matta, 27, was rummaging through Dumpsters in a condominium complex in the 5100 block of Gray Lane, near Hacienda Avenue and Maryland Parkway, when he was shot to death.

On July 28, 1996, John Garcia, 48, was in his garage at 5147 Greene Lane, near Tropicana Avenue and Maryland Parkway. He died from a bullet wound to his head.

On Aug. 29, 1996, 22-year-old Keith Dyer was walking a teenage fellow employee from Pizza Hut to her apartment to see her home safely when he and the woman were approached by three men at 4995 S. Maryland Parkway. The men shouted at Dyer before one of them opened fire, the teenager told police. Dyer died at the scene. The woman suffered a minor wound to her leg.

On Oct. 3, 1996, gang detectives bought guns from Tony Amati, 21, Troy Sampson, 26, and Edward James, 22. The guns were allegedly stolen from a gun shop the night before the first murder, Hefner said. A follow-up investigation led to the recovery of several dozen weapons, which were recovered at Amati and James' residence, Hefner said.

Amati, Sampson and James have not been charged with the crimes. Sampson is in a Nevada state prison on an unrelated conviction. James has been in contact with homicide detectives as late as Tuesday, and Amati "is in the wind," at large, Hefner said.

A reward of up to $10,000 from Pizza Hut for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect in Dyer's killing has been expanded to all three murders, Hefner said.

Metro Police are asking witnesses or anyone with information to come forward with more information. A grand jury hearing is being scheduled "soon," Hefner said. In the meantime, detectives are still gathering evidence, he said.

In two of the murders, witnesses reported seeing three suspects flee the crime scenes. The murders all happened in the same area, Hefner said.

"People can remain anonymous," Hefner said. "Anybody who has any history on these three individuals that might connect them to that area, we want to hear from them.

"Soon after the first murder, detectives received a call from an anonymous witness who preferred not to leave his name. We would like this witness to contact us. He can remain anonymous."

He asked citizens to call either homicide at 229-3521 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

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