News briefs for Nov. 6, 2002

Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2002 | 9:27 a.m.

Gang connection eyed in slaying

Metro Police are investigating a possible gang tie in the shooting death of a man in the 3800 block of North Nellis Boulevard.

Witnesses told officers that a man in his 20s was standing on the sidewalk when he was confronted by two men at about 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Metro Homicide Lt. Tom Monahan said.

Words were exchanged and the victim was shot in the chest, witnesses said.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. The victim's identity will be released by the coroner's office after the family is notified.

Police are looking for two Hispanic men in their late teens to early 20s, between 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-10 and about 160 pounds.

Witnesses said the suspects fled on foot southwest on Nellis.

Anyone with information about this event is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555 or the Metro Homicide Section at 229-3521.

Woman's death investigated

Metro Police are investigating the death of a woman found dead inside an apartment in the 500 block of North Lamb Boulevard.

A friend of the victim went to check on the woman about at 6:40 p.m. on Tuesday and found her dead, Metro Homicide Lt. Tom Monahan said.

The cause of death is unknown. The Clark County Coroner's Office will perform an autopsy.

The victim's name was not released.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555 or the Metro Homicide Section at 229-3521.

Las Vegas' bond rating is raised

New York-based Fitch Ratings raised the city of Las Vegas bond rating to "AA," an improvement over last year.

Last year the city was rated AA by Moody's Investors Service and Aa3 by Standard & Poors.

The city is now rated higher than New York, Chicago, Reno and Philadelphia. Other governments with AA ratings are the state of Nevada, Clark County, Boston and Los Angeles.