Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

Police: Remark about girl led to fatal stabbing on Las Vegas Strip walkway

Updated Tuesday, June 28, 2011 | 3:05 p.m.

Stabbing on the Strip

KSNV coverage of vigil held on Strip for stabbing victim, June 28, 2011.

Click to enlarge photo

Victor M. Quijano

The fatal fight early Saturday morning on the Las Vegas Strip apparently began with an offensive remark about a girl.

Two groups quarreled, separated and then ran into each other again on a pedestrian walkway. That’s when a second fight broke out, resulting in a fatal stabbing, according to an arrest report released Tuesday.

Andres Armando Elena, 21, of Las Vegas, died from a stab wound to the chest, Clark County's coroner said. His death was ruled a homicide.

Metro Police arrested 25-year-old Victor Quijano in connection with Elena's death. Quijano, also of Las Vegas, has been charged with murder with a deadly weapon, attempted murder with a deadly weapon and possession of a dangerous weapon.

The incident allegedly began when Quijano and his friends had a run-in with another group of people at the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood.

A man, later identified as Steven Velasquez, allegedly said something about a female in Quijano's group, prompting a fight in the mall area, according to the arrest report. Security diffused the fight by ordering Velasquez's group to leave.

Later that morning, however, Quijano and his friends encountered Velasquez's group on the walkway between MGM Grand and New York-New York, the report alleges.

Another fight ensued. Quijano told detectives he pulled out his black stiletto knife after Velasquez allegedly hit his friend with a glass bottle, according to the arrest report.

Quijano allegedly said he stabbed Velasquez in self defense and another man who was in front of him, police noted in the report. Quijano told detectives he did not see a weapon on the second man, who police believe to be Elena.

"Quijano said he stabbed Elena to get him back," police wrote in the report.

Detectives found a black stiletto knife in the bushes near New York-New York, about 20 to 30 yards from where police apprehended Quijano and his friend, Angel Magana.

Witnesses identified Quijano as the suspect seen with the knife during the fight, who was wearing an Oakland Raiders football jersey. Police said Quijano was carrying an Oakland Raiders jersey when stopped by officers.

Elena and Velasquez were transported to University Medical Center's trauma unit, where Elena died. Velasquez's injuries were not considered life-threatening, police said.

Quijano is being held in the Clark County Detention Center without bail, according to jail records. His first court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday.

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