Local news briefs for November 26, 1999

Friday, Nov. 26, 1999 | 10:26 a.m.

Man held after woman killed

A 46-year-old Las Vegas man accused of chasing his girlfriend into busy Las Vegas Boulevard on Thanksgiving where she was hit and killed by a vehicle was held today without bond in the Clark County Detention Center.

Steven Jensen was charged with murder and is on a suicide watch in the detention center.

Metro Police say Jensen and his 39-year-old girlfriend had been drinking Thursday and later were arguing in the 3900 block of Las Vegas Boulevard South.

The woman, whose name has not been released, was hit about 9:20 p.m. Thursday by a sport utility vehicle, police said.

The woman, a Las Vegas resident, and Jensen had been living at a Las Vegas Boulevard motel for the past two weeks, police said.

Police kill dog at school

Responding to reports of people watching a dog fight, a North Las Vegas Police officer shot and killed one of the dogs Thursday afternoon at an elementary school.

Just before 1 p.m. police responded to Jo Mackey Elementary School, 2726 Englestad St., after receiving several calls of 30 to 40 people watching two pit bulls fight at the school.

The dogs were surrounded by the people in the northeast section of the school's playground when patrol officers arrived, police said.

When the people surrounding the dogs saw the police they scattered, including one man who was armed with a sawed-off shotgun. Police chased the man with the shotgun, but he dropped the weapon and escaped by jumping a wall, Lt. M.L. Kincaid said.

The two dogs ran onto one of the school's basketball courts where about 50 people were playing basketball and drinking beer, Kincaid said. One man got hold of one of the dog's leashes, but as an officer approached, he released it.

The pit bull charged the officer, who fired one shot hitting the dog and killing it, Kincaid said.

The shotgun was recovered by police and two men were arrested for obstructing a police officer. The second dog ran off and was not captured, Kincaid said.

Two people left homeless

Two Thursday morning fires in northwest Las Vegas left two residents homeless on Thanksgiving.

The first fire broke out at midnight at a duplex near Smoke Ranch and Rancho roads at 2324 Viva Circle.

The fire destroyed the building's second floor, causing at least $50,000 in damage, Las Vegas Fire Department spokesman Tim Szymanski said.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated, and the American Red Cross assisted the woman who lives in the unit by getting her a room at a local hotel.

Just before 4 a.m. firefighters responded to another blaze at the Orchid Apartment Homes, 2700 N. Rainbow Blvd.

A second alarm was called out to the blazing apartment, and the fire was out in about 10 minutes and caused about $50,000 in damage, Szymanski said.

The resident in the apartment told investigators that he was sitting in his living room when he noticed the apartment filling with smoke. He found the fire in a bedroom and tried to smother it with clothing, but ended up suffering minor burns on his hands before escaping, Szymanski said.

One firefighter was slightly injured and treated at local hospital.

The cause of the fire is still undetermined, and the Red Cross is also helping the resident with temporary shelter.

Crossing guard still critical

A Clark County School District crossing guard remains in critical condition at University Medical Center after being hit by a car in a crosswalk Tuesday afternoon.

Shirley Rizzo, 72, was hit at the intersection of Wigwam Avenue and Valle Verde Boulevard about 3:45 p.m. as she held up a stop sign and prepared to help children cross the intersection, Henderson Police said.

Henderson Police have established an account to help Rizzo's family with medical expenses.

Donations can be made to the Rizzo Family Relief Fund at any U.S. Bank. The account number is 153750294180.