Woman shot to death in her Henderson home; kids injured

Jen Lawson

Wednesday, May 4, 2005 | 11:58 a.m.

A 46-year-old woman was shot and killed and her two teenage children were injured after someone apparently broke into their Green Valley Ranch home early this morning.

Residents reported hearing gunshots in their quiet neighborhood near Paseo Verde Parkway and Valle Verde Drive in Henderson about 1:30 a.m.

When police arrived at the home in the 200 block of Camelback Ridge Avenue, they found the front door kicked in and the mother's body, Officer Todd Rasmussen, Henderson police spokesman, said.

Her son, 18, had also been shot and was taken to University Medical Center. The 17-year old daughter was injured but police would not say if she was shot. Neighbors reported seeing a red or maroon older model Ford Escort leaving the house after the shots were fired, Rasmussen said.

Police are questioning a "person of interest," a Henderson resident who detectives believe may have information on the case.

"We don't believe this was random," Rasmussen said. "It wasn't clear what sparked the violence." Rasmussen said they are investigating whether domestic violence played a role.

Residents of the house had contacted the police in September 2004 to complain about their landlord, Rasmussen said. It involved a civil matter dealing with the upkeep of the house and does not appear related to the shootings.

"This is a nice neighborhood, really quiet. I've never heard of anything like this," said a man who declined to give his name.

Standing outside the house she has owned for nine years, a woman looked down the street at the yellow crime tape.

"Renters, they come and go," she said, also refusing to give her name. "I've heard there were a couple break-ins but nothing like this."