News briefs for Dec. 1, 2003

Monday, Dec. 1, 2003 | 11:06 a.m.

Man shot to death in ambush at home

A Las Vegas man apparently was ambushed outside his apartment early today by gunmen who fired about a half dozen shots and killed him, Metro Police said.

The shooting occurred about 2 a.m. in The Resort at the Lakes, a guarded, gated community at 9999 West Katie Avenue near Hualapai Way and Twain Avenue, Metro Homicide Lt. Tom Monahan said.

The man, believed to be in his 20s, had arrived at his apartment with his girlfriend and another man when two men approached their car, Monahan said.

Shots were fired, striking the victim, who was taken to the University Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, Monahan said. The people who were with the victim were not shot, he said.

Monahan said there was a guard on duty at the apartment complex the time of the shooting.

The dead man's identity had not been released this morning by authorities.

Motorcyclist dies after collision

A 25-year-old motorcyclist died after he was hit by a 1994 Mitsubishi Eclipse about 6 p.m. Sunday at Rainbow Boulevard and Twain Avenue, Metro Police said.

Both the motorcyclist, whose identity had not been released, and the car's driver, 26-year-old Biruk Asfaw, were taken to University Medical Center, police said.

Asfaw was treated and released. He was cited for failing to yield the right of way, police said.

The motorcyclist died of his injuries hours after the crash, police said.

Man shot by cop moved to jail

A man who was shot by a North Las Vegas Police officer early Sunday has been moved from University Medical Center to the North Las Vegas Detention Center.

Police said the officer shot Hamilton Bryan Hamilton after Hamilton allegedly pulled a handgun after being stopped for questioning about 2 a.m. Sunday in the 5300 block of Clayton Street.

Hamilton told officers that he wanted an officer to shoot him, North Las Vegas Police spokesman Justin Roberts said.

The officer's name will be withheld for 48 hours before it is released, under police department policy, Roberts said.

Man dies after shooting in garage

A 21-year-old Las Vegas man died after a shooting in Boulder Station's parking garage about 1 a.m. Sunday, Metro Police said.

The identity of the man, who died at University Medical Center's trauma unit, had not been released as of this morning.

Witnesses said several people were at a party in the 3900 block of Karen Avenue when the victim got into a fight. The victim, along with several others, left the party and went to the top of the parking garage at Boulder Station, police said.

Many of those who had gone to the garage from the party left before police arrived.

Anyone with information about the crime is urged to call the Metro Police Homicide Section at 229-3521. Callers wishing to remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000 can call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.

Fire destroys vacant restaurant

Las Vegas police arrested a homeless man Saturday night in connection with a late-night fire that destroyed a former Ricardo's Mexican restaurant at Eastern and Tropicana avenues.

Earl Shaver, 37, "told people there that he set the fire to stay warm," Clark County Fire Department spokesman Bob Leinbach said.

Metro Police arrested Shaver on suspicion of second-degree arson. The building had been empty for several months and was in the process of being demolished to make way for another business, Leinbach said.