Suspect in stabbings is identified by police

Wednesday, July 6, 2005 | 11:08 a.m.

The man accused of setting his apartment on fire, then stabbing his neighbor and a bar patron Tuesday has been identified by Metro Police as Billy Joe Orrick, 21.

Orrick is being held in the Clark County Detention Center on two counts of attempted murder and one count of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer.

Orrick set a fire in his apartment at the St. James Place complex at 2615 Gary Ave. about 3:12 a.m., police allege. Orrick then approached a neighbor and said his apartment was on fire and allegedly stabbed the man when his back was turned, police said.

The neighbor ran to a convenience store and encountered an off-duty Metro gang crimes detective. Meanwhile, Orrick went into the Instant Replay sports bar at 9495 S. Las Vegas Blvd. and stabbed a man sitting at the bar, police allege.

After he left the bar police arrested Orrick after a brief standoff. Police believe Orrick was under the influence of an unknown illegal substance and was taken to University Medical Center, then was booked into the jail when he was released, police said.

Both victims are recovering at the hospital, police said.