Murder charge filed in bar fight

Friday, May 7, 2004 | 9:43 a.m.

A 44-year-old Las Vegas man was arrested on a murder charge early Wednesday morning in connection with a fight at a bar near Desert Inn Road and Swenson Street.

Serah Kemahu was initially arrested for felony battery with substantial bodily harm but a murder charge was added after the victim died, according to a Metro Police report.

Police were dispatched to the La Libela bar at 870 Swenson St. about 4 a.m. Wednesday in connection with a fight.

When officers arrived they found the victim, Firaw Aregu, 38, of Las Vegas on the ground in front of the bar. He was taken to Sunrise Hospital with possible brain bleeding, the report says.

Witnesses weren't willing to give written statements, but Kemahu called police a few hours later and said he wanted to tell them what happened.

Kemahu said Aregu was intoxicated and "was about to be involved in a fight" with the bar owner, the report says. The fight appeared to be over a bar bill that Aregu had not paid.

Aregu made a move to punch or slap the bar owner, Kemahu said, and Kemahu blocked him.

He "hit Aregu in the neck area with his right hand and shoved him backward," according to the report. "Aregu stumbled backward and fell, striking his head on the curb."

He died about 5:15 p.m. at Sunrise Hospital, the coroner's office said.

Kemahu was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on the battery charge about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday and the murder charge was added just after 8 p.m., according to jail records.