Relatives mourn death of Las Vegas Marine’s brother

Tuesday, April 15, 2003 | 11:14 a.m.

Relatives of Joshua Brink last night pondered the irony of life and death.

As they waited for Joshua's brother, Marine Cpl. Richard Brink to arrive in the United States from the war in Iraq, they couldn't get over how one brother survived combat in a strange land while another died on the streets of Las Vegas a couple of blocks from his home.

"It is just crazy," said Kelly Randall, fiancee of Joshua's other brother, James Hersom. "We are in shock. You know it can happen, but you just never expect to get shot in your own neighborhood."

An argument in front of an apartment complex near Bonanza Road at Sandhill Road ended with 18-year-old Joshua being shot while he was sitting in his car with two friends.

The three men who approached his car shortly before 11 p.m. Thursday are still at large, including the one who shot the teen.

Services for the laborer are set for 2 p.m. Friday at Palm Mortuary Downtown.

"He was such a likeable kid -- tall and thin -- he always showed up for work on time," said a woman at Badger Construction Co., who asked that her name not be printed. "Of course I was shocked when I heard of the shooting. I don't live too far from that area.

"I think he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Joshua Brink, a graduate of Desert Pines High School, worked full time for Badger, digging for the installation of underground utilities. He had been paid on the day he was killed, the office worker confirmed.

Attempts to reach the teen's mother Dianna Brink and his stepfather Timothy Fahl today were not successful. They had expected Richard Brink, who was attached to a Marine Corps squadron out of Yuma, Ariz., to arrive at Nellis Air Force Base Monday night.

"We are concerned because he hasn't called, but we believe Richard is safe," Randall said, noting he could arrive as early as today.

Thursday's shooting was called into police dispatch as a possible robbery or attempted carjacking. Police initially said the shooting might be gang-related. Investigators could not be reached for comment this morning.

After the gunfire, one of the car's passengers jumped from the vehicle and ran from the scene. Joshua Brink drove off but crashed into a wall after traveling a couple of blocks, police said.