Father, young daughter found slashed

Jen Lawson

Friday, July 25, 2003 | 9:46 a.m.

Deputy constables trying to serve an apartment resident with an eviction notice Thursday afternoon found the man and his daughter stabbed in what police believe was an attempted murder-suicide, authorities said.

The man, whose name hadn't been released, was in "very critical" condition at University Medical Center with life-threatening stab wounds that appear to be self-inflicted, Officer Jose Montoya, spokesman for the department, said.

His daughter, believed to be 7 or 8 years old, suffered knife slashes on her throat and arms. Her injuries aren't believed to be life-threatening, authorities said. She was in fair condition at UMC.

The incident happened sometime before 1:30 p.m. The constables went to the Latigo at Silverado Ranch apartment complex at 2300 E. Silverado Ranch Blvd. near Eastern Avenue to serve the occupant with an eviction notice.

Las Vegas Constable Robert "Bobby G" Gronauer said there was no answer at the door, so locksmiths opened it.

When they went in they found the man and his daughter were bleeding, Gronauer said.

Constables asked the man if he was OK, Montoya said, and he said he was. They told the man to take his personal belongings and vacate the apartment, and the man appeared cooperative.

They pulled the girl aside and asked what happened, and "she said her dad cut her," Montoya said.

Instead of gathering his possessions, the man barricaded himself in the bathroom, Montoya said.

Constables called Metro, and officers kicked in the bathroom door. They found the man had apparently slashed his own throat.

The man and his daughter were the only people who lived there, Montoya said. Authorities aren't certain why this happened but said the man may have been distraught about a dispute over custody of his daughter. Police are investigating.

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