News briefs for November 15, 2004

Monday, Nov. 15, 2004 | 10:35 a.m.

Man, 19, dies after shooting

A Las Vegas man died Sunday night after being shot outside a local apartment complex.

Metro Police, responding to shots heard in the 2700 block of North Rainbow Boulevard about 10:30 p.m., found Israel Ramos, 19, wounded outside an apartment.

Ramos, who was still conscious when officers found him, refused to speak to them, police said. He was taken to University Medical Center, where he died.

Anyone with information about the shooting can call homicide detectives at 229-3521.

Passenger killed as car crashes

A 23-year-old Las Vegas man was killed about 2:30 a.m. Sunday when he was ejected from a speeding car that rolled over on Rochelle Avenue near Buffalo Drive, Metro Police said.

A 2003 Nissan 350 driven by Chester Hasse, 26, of Las Vegas was heading east on Rochelle at a high rate of speed. As it approached Miller Street, the car went over a drainage dip and became airborne, police said.

The car went off the road and flipped several times in a desert lot. The passenger, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the car and was pronounced dead at the scene. His name was not released this morning.

Hasse suffered minor injuries and was treated at a hospital and released. Police are still investigating the crash.

Two men are wounded in shooting

Metro Police are investigating a possible gang-related shooting that took place about 4:40 a.m. Sunday in the parking lot of the the SRO nightclub in the 1700 block of East Flamingo Road near Maryland Parkway.

Metro Lt. Lewis Roberts said one person was shot in the chest and stomach and another was shot in the stomach and upper thigh. Both are being treated at University Medical Center.

Anyone with information is asked to call the gang crimes section at 229-3309.

Former Reid aide eyes mayor's post

A former aide to Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., was to announce his North Las Vegas mayoral bid this afternoon.

Andres Ramirez, who most recently has worked as state director of Voices for Working Families, a local nonprofit organization, says he will focus his campaign on improving public safety, establishing a quality health care system and implementing smart growth strategies for the growing city.

He also previously worked as a lobbyist in Carson City and has volunteered on several local and national political campaigns.

Today's announcement is expected to be the first in an aggressive fund-raising blitz for Ramirez, who said he hopes to raise $250,000 for his campaign.

The North Las Vegas mayoral primary election will be held on April 5 and the general election will be on June 7.

Hail of gunfire kills man in home

A 19-year-old man was shot inside a home near Fort Apache and Russell roads just before 9 p.m. Saturday and later died, Metro Police said.

He was identified this morning as Erik Turrubiate of North Las Vegas. He was taken to Spring Valley Hospital by friends and died while in surgery at the hospital.

Police said multiple shots were fired inside the residence and several bullets went into the homes on either side, but no other injuries were reported.

While investigating the shooting, police found a marijuana-growing operation inside the home on the 5400 block of Jacobs Field Street, police said.

Police are asking that anyone with information about the shooting call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555 or the homicide section at 229-3521.

Suspect in rapper's death extradited

A 33-year-old man accused of the April 25, 2000, shooting death of an aspiring Las Vegas rap singer was returned to Las Vegas late Friday night, almost 22 months after his arrest in Spain, Metro Police said.

Christopher Berarducci was charged with murder with the use of a deadly weapon related to the killing of 31-year-old Andre Collins.

Collins, son of former Nevada Assemblyman Gene Collins, was found slain in the Green Room, a recording studio at the 800 block of East Sahara Avenue.

Berarducci reportedly fled to the East Coast and then to Spain after the incident.

Man found beaten to death

A 51-year-old man was found beaten to death Saturday in his apartment near Harmon Avenue and Maryland Parkway, Metro Police said.

Police went to Benjamin James Ridley III's home on the 4400 block of Caliente Street about 8:30 p.m., following up on a request to check on him.

Officers noticed the apartment door was slightly open and went inside. They found Ridley in his bedroom, police said.

The coroner's office said Ridley died of blunt force trauma. It appears he had been dead for several days, police said.

Death penalty sought in killing

Prosecutors will seek the death penalty against the man who allegedly beat a retired Air Force major into a coma from which he later died, Chief Deputy District Attorney Chris Owens said Friday.

Raymond Garrett, 37, is charged with murder for the death of 51-year-old Michael Born after a confrontation in a Wal-Mart parking lot at Stewart Avenue and Nellis Boulevard in June.

Born was badly beaten and lingered in a coma for two weeks before his death.

Garrett also faces charges of robbery, battery and conspiracy to murder. His trial is scheduled to begin on May 16.

Metro Police are looking for a 21-year-old man

suspected of fatally shooting another man on Thursday. William J. Kinsey is accused of shooting Kevin Clark, 38, shortly before 8 p.m. Thursday at 4300 N. Lamont St., police said. Police are asking that anyone with information about Kinsey's whereabouts call Crime Stoppers or police.

A woman found Wednesday

in a desert area off Craig Road near Nellis Boulevard has been identified by the coroner's office as 33-year-old Tracy Cottrell.

People riding all-terrain vehicles found the body

of a woman Sunday near the Sunrise Mountain Natural Area, Metro Police said. The passers-by spotted the body around 11:30 a.m. in the 7000 block of Coldwater Drive and called police, Officer Jose Montoya said. She had a backpack with her.