Arrest made in eighth killing in Henderson

Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003 | 9:41 a.m.

Henderson police arrested a 26-year-old man Wednesday on a murder charge for the eighth slaying in the city this year.

Henderson officers went to 91 E. Texas Ave. at 5 a.m. Wednesday after a neighbor called reporting a fight at the address, Henderson Police spokesman Shane Lewis said.

Police found Robert Whittwere, 47, of Henderson dead in the home. It appeared Whittwere had been stabbed, Lewis said.

The suspect, Ricky Lee Trader, was caught at 8 a.m. after a short foot chase two blocks from the scene, Lewis said.

Trader is being held without bail at the Henderson Detention Center.

Five of the slayings in Henderson have been solved this year, Lewis said. Since Saturday there have been seven slayings in Clark County; six of them took place in Metro Police's jurisdiction.

Before Whittwere's death, the most recent killing in the valley had been late Tuesday night. A 19-year-old man was found shot in the 200 block of Hinkle Street, near Torrey Pines Drive and U.S. 95, Metro Police said.

His name has not been released and no arrests have been made in the case.