Suspects sought in fatal shooting of wife, mother

Monday, Oct. 6, 2008 | 12:18 p.m.

Sun coverage

Woman shot to death during family celebration (10-3-08)

After celebrating on Thursday her 20th year as a housekeeper at the California Hotel and Casino, 43-year-old Gloria Tapia-Martinez of Las Vegas died at a local hospital from a gunshot wound to the chest. Police are still searching for suspects in the shooting.

Her death is considered a homicide, the Clark County coroner's office said today.

Tapia-Martinez will be remembered today and tomorrow during funeral services at Palm Mortuary at 1325 N. Main St. today and at a funeral service at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Christopher Catholic Church at 1840 N. Bruce St.

Officers arrived at about 9:56 p.m. Thursday in the 4000 block of Hidden Oasis Court, near East Bonanza Road and North Lamb Boulevard, after receiving a call that a woman had been shot.

Police said the woman was taken to University Medical Center, where she died a short time later.

Homicide detectives said the woman had been outside her home with family, celebrating her employment anniversary when a single gunshot was heard. Then family members realized Tapia-Martinez had been shot, police said.

Visitation at Palm Mortuary will continue until 5 p.m. when a rosary will be recited. A funeral service is scheduled for 7 p.m. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Christopher Catholic Church with interment to follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, 1500 Las Vegas Blvd. North.

Tapia-Martinez was born July 12, 1965, in Ignacio, Mexico and came to Nevada 22 years ago.

She is survived by her husband, Mario Prieto; two sons Fabian Prieto (Angelica) and Petra Tapia-Martinez; a granddaughter and her brother, Jose Tapia and sisters, Enriqueta, Luz, Eliza and Carmen Tapia.

There are no suspect descriptions at this time. Police said a vehicle described as a small silver compact car was sighted at the time of the shooting. Police have no motive in the homicide.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555 to remain anonymous, or call Metro's homicide section at 828-3521.

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By mikeg

Oct. 6, 2008

5:02 p.m.

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"Homicide detectives said the woman had been outside her home with family, celebrating her employment anniversary when a single gunshot was heard" - and yet no one saw who fired the gun. Surrounded by people and no witness. Something's fishy about that scenario.
By Lenny_V

Oct. 7, 2008

2:54 a.m.

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Why would anyone want to celebrate working twenty years as housekeeper in the first place?
By homer

Oct. 7, 2008

8:02 a.m.

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Lenny_V This woman worked and paid her own way something I doubt you have done.You have absolutley no class or self respect. I did not know this woman but I would have rather known her than you.
By azsk8fan

Oct. 7, 2008

11:06 a.m.

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So you remove a post offering condolences? What gives with that - Lenny, you are really out of line critizing a dead womans line of work - shame on you and the Sun as well.
By MiaCulpa

Oct. 7, 2008

11:55 a.m.

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I hope they catch the sorry sun of a gun who killed this hardworking woman! My heart goes out to her family.

Lenny- being employed at the same place for 20 years is a lot to be proud of. Her children have probably learned a lot from this type of woman.... obviously your mother didnt do such a great job with you.
By azsk8fan

Oct. 7, 2008

1:32 p.m.

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MiaCulpa, and stil the 'site staff' see fit to leave his uncalled for remarks on the site.

I was thinking the same thing as you - 20 yrs on any job is indeed something to be proud of no matter what the job entails. We can't all be rocket scientists. Oh, except perhaps for LennyV.
By post11tracy

Oct. 7, 2008

3:24 p.m.

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I agree! Anyone with any organization for 20 years in this day should be applauded!

Besides, it's not what you do but how you do it!

Also, Lenny, maybe you should get a job! Is that all you do is post comments like this and as you did to the 41 year old man critcally injured from a motorcycle accident that you said was drunk and wasn't! He was on his way to work!
By post11tracy

Oct. 7, 2008

3:38 p.m.

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Lenny, what's wrong? Did you lose your job on Wall Street?
By redferret

Oct. 7, 2008

4:13 p.m.

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Nope, I just think the dude drinks a lot of Haterade. Ideal for replacing all the spleen that is usually vented on the less than deserving. I usually save my snap decisions when I know I won't look like a total fool for doing it.
In parting remember what Mark Twain said (insert typing metaphors instead of talking), "It's better to remain quiet and have people think you are an idiot than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."
By MiaCulpa

Oct. 8, 2008

8:56 a.m.

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azsk8fan- Yeah..but they removed yours. What's wrong with them?
I am sure this woman will be missed by everyone including her employer. After 20 years I'm sure she was like family.
God bless you Tapia-Martinez family.