Man dies after gang initiation; fourth suspect sought

By Mary Manning

Published Tuesday, March 24, 2009 | 4:05 p.m.

Updated Tuesday, March 24, 2009 | 4:28 p.m.

A 21-year-old Las Vegas man has died from head injuries after a gang initiation and Metro Police have arrested three men in connection with the attack. Detectives are asking for the public's help in finding a fourth suspect in the case.

Gang officers went to Valley Hospital on March 15 after learning that Armando Castro had suffered severe head injuries after he had been "jumped in," or initiated, into a criminal street gang on the evening of March 14.

The initiation involved Castro being punched, kicked and stomped in the face and head for 13 seconds, police said. He later died from his injuries. The incident occurred in the northeast part of the Las Vegas Valley, although police weren't releasing other information about the location.

Three of four suspects have been arrested, police said. According to Clark County Detention Center records, all three have been charged with murder with intent to promote or assist a criminal gang. Those in custody are Xavier Gonzalez, 24; Edgar Ginez, 19, and Jacob Hoffman, 18.

Police are asking for the public's help in finding 24-year-old Dwayne Romero, also known as "Smokey." He is 6-feet tall, weighs 180 pounds and has VST TRESA tattooed on his back and VICKYS TOWN tattooed on the back of his head, police said.

Anyone with information on this crime or the whereabouts of Romero is asked to call Metro's Gang Detail at (702) 828-3309, or to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at (702) 385-5555.