Local news briefs for January 15, 2001

Monday, Jan. 15, 2001 | 11:03 a.m.

Police find no witnesses to killing

North Las Vegas Police continue to investigate the homicide of a man found shot in the head Friday morning near Carey Avenue and Martin Luther King Boulevard.

Steve Hawkins, 26, died of his injuries about 10 p.m. Friday at University Medical Center, a nursing supervisor said.

Hawkins was found in the 1700 block of West Nelson Avenue about 6:45 a.m. Friday, North Las Vegas Police said.

A neighbor reported hearing a loud noise, but no one saw anyone with Hawkins near the time he was shot, police said.

Anyone with information on this homicide is asked to call North Las Vegas Police at 633-9111 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

Fight cuts short downtown parade

Saturday's downtown parade to honor Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy of nonviolent protest was marred by two fights that caused the celebration to be cut short.

The fights started about 1:30 p.m. near the intersection of Bridger Avenue and Fourth Street, when several people began fighting two men, Metro Police said.

The parade, which started about 10 a.m., was ended about 30 minutes early because of the disturbances. The two victims were treated and released from University Medical Center for minor injuries, and others involved in the fights fled the area.

Poison gas threat untrue

A 27-year-old man remains at the Clark County Detention Center today after holding seven people hostage inside a bank Friday night during a standoff with police that lasted for more than three hours.

Luke Andrew Davis, 27, is being held on seven counts of kidnapping and one count of coercion after taking over the First Security Bank at 1620 E. Flamingo Road, near Maryland Parkway, about 5:30 p.m. Friday.

Davis told authorities that he had canisters of poisonous sarin gas, but that claim proved to be untrue. It does not appear that Davis intended to rob the bank because he was was asking to talk to the FBI as he took over the building, Metro Police said.

The standoff and the threat of poisonous gas forced authorities to close a half-mile stretch of Flamingo around the bank.

Man charged in casino heist

A 27-year-old man suspected of robbing and trying to rob Treasure Island on three separate occasions has been indicted.

According to an indictment unsealed Friday, Reginald Johnson faces 15 criminal charges ranging from attempted murder to robbery and burglary in connection with incidents that took place at the hotel on July 12, Oct. 30 and Dec. 12.

Johnson, who is believed to have gotten away with more than $100,000, was arrested Dec. 13 wearing a Santa Claus hat and a woman's nightgown.

Police allege Johnson became upset Dec. 12 when he realized bars had been put up at the casino since his last robbery and he shot a guard and fled empty-handed.

The guard has since recovered.

Johnson, whose arraignment is set for Jan. 18, is being held without bail at the Clark County Detention Center.