Murder suspect flees county jail

Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2003 | 12:10 p.m.

Police in two states are hunting for Pahrump murder suspect Ronald Dean Garren, who slipped out of the Clark County Detention Center sometime Tuesday.

Garren, 38, escaped the detention center when several other prisoners were released, authorities said. Detention Center officials said an error by its staff was responsible. An investigation is under way, and any wrongdoing by the staff will be referred to the Metro Police Internal Affairs Section, officials said.

Nye County sheriff's deputies arrived at the center in downtown Las Vegas about 1 p.m. Tuesday when Metro Police discovered Garren was missing, Nye County Sheriff Anthony DeMeo said.

"He has had enough time to get out of Las Vegas," DeMeo said. "We believe he is dangerous. He has made statements to family and other people that he would not be taken alive." Police in McDonald County, Mo., captured Garren on Oct. 14. He is wanted in the shooting of George Weber on Oct. 5 at a house in Pahrump.

Garren has family living in the Ozarks, authorities said.

McDonald County Sheriff Robert Everson said that Garren's family was "well respected." Authorities in Missouri have been notified that Garren is on the run, a deputy at the McDonald County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday.

Police believe Garren shot Weber, 34, once in the head after an argument. Mercy Air flew Weber to University Medical Center, where he died about eight hours after arriving at the hospital.

Police also suspect Garren in several robberies that have occurred in Pahrump and at least one in Las Vegas, police said.

Janet Nitting, 21, is in jail in Tonopah, being held on charges of helping Garren, DeMeo said.

Known by the nickname "Shotgun," Garren was on parole after serving nearly 13 years in a Nevada prison for attempted murder and a string of armed robberies in Las Vegas. One person was shot during one of the robberies, police said.