Two found dead in separate LV homicides

Cathy Scott

Friday, March 21, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Two men were found dead in the street early today in separate homicides.

Residents in the 900 block of McWilliams Avenue, near Washington Avenue and H Street, called Metro Police at 1:50 a.m. after hearing gunfire. Neighbors reported that they saw a man lying face down in the street following "numerous gunshots," homicide Sgt. Bill Keeton said.

Police and paramedics found 23-year-old Orlando Rooks dead in the street.

When Rooks' body was removed by the coroner's office, a loaded and cocked revolver was found in his hand underneath him, Keeton said.

Also, detectives found "numerous shell casings in the immediate vicinity," he said.

Investigators were unable to find any witnesses to the shooting.

"No one has been located who will admit to being an eyewitness," Keeton said.

In a separate homicide at 1 a.m., 29-year-old Daniel Pedroza of Henderson was found lying in the street in the 1100 block of Las Vegas Boulevard North near Washington.

Police believe Pedroza was holding onto the passenger-side door as a large brown utility vehicle sped out of a parking lot and headed south on Las Vegas Boulevard.

"The vehicle swerved to throw the victim from the vehicle," Lt. Wayne Petersen said.

Pedroza was thrown to the pavement and suffered substantial injuries. He was taken to University Medical Center where he died a short time later, police said.

"Some type of confrontation occurred between the victim and the driver" of the van, Petersen said.

Pedroza, a former resident of 1101 Las Vegas Blvd. North, had been seen in the area.

Police have asked anyone with information on the homicides to call homicide detectives at 229-3521 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.