News briefs for May 10, 2005

Tuesday, May 10, 2005 | 11:06 a.m.

Marine honored for Iraq action

The Marine Corps will honor a Las Vegas Marine for his actions last year while serving with Operation Iraqi Freedom.

First Lt. Jon T. McGaughey, a reservist assigned to Weapons Platoon, Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines, will receive the Navy Commendation Medal with Valor during a ceremony Wednesday at the Armed Forces Reserve Center at Nellis Air Force Base.

McGaughey was serving as executive officer of Company B April 8-11, 2004, when his platoon came under sniper fire while patrolling in Fallujah, Iraq, military officials said.

McGaughey directed three different platoons in clearing out the streets around the sniper attack, evacuating at least two wounded Marines and deploying a quick reaction force to cover the company as it withdrew, according to the military.

McGaughey continued to conduct patrols in and around the Al Anbar Province through May 29, 2004, and is credited with collecting valuable intelligence on insurgents in that area, the military said.

Lt. Col. Bradley H. Shumaker, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines inspector-instructor is to present McGaughey with the award.

Man shot to death opening door

A man was shot and killed early this morning at an apartment on Sierra Vista Drive near Swenson Street, Metro Police said.

The victim, whose name was not released this morning, was in the apartment at the Sierra Park complex with several friends when he answered the door shortly after midnight. He was shot when he opened the door, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555 or police at 229-3521.

Teens killed in crash are ID'd

Two Las Vegas teens killed Sunday morning in a wreck on State Route 159 near Red Rock Canyon have been identified as Michael Anthony Lopez II and Bobby R. Morrison, both 17.

Their 1993 Ford pickup truck drifted off the side of the road and rolled about 6 a.m., the Nevada Highway Patrol said.

Both were pronounced dead at the scene. It wasn't clear which teen was driving.

No one home as house burns

No one was home when a Las Vegas house caught fire early Monday afternoon, authorities said.

Firefighters were called to a house at 2828 Whistling Vines Ave., near Rancho and Vegas drives, at 12:59 p.m. Flames and smoke were reported by several callers, Las Vegas Fire & Rescue spokesman Tim Szymanski said.

Firefighters forced their way into the home and found it full of thick smoke, Szymanski said. The fire had started in a closet of one of the bedrooms.

The rest of the house had heavy smoke damage and total damage is estimated at $75,000, Szymanski said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.