Facebook
Fark
Digg
Reddit
Stumble
By Dave Toplikar (contact) 
Wednesday, June 29, 2011 | 9:47 a.m.
Stabbing on the Strip
Viewing video requires the latest version of Adobe's Flash Player
KSNV coverage of vigil held on Strip for stabbing victim, June 28, 2011.
Victor M. Quijano
Victor Quijano, accused of using a stiletto knife to fatally stab one man and injure another early Saturday on a pedestrian walkway above the Las Vegas Strip, claims he was acting in self defense.
That's what a public defender said outside a courtroom following Quijano's short, but emotionally charged arraignment Wednesday morning in Las Vegas Justice Court.
Several friends and family members of the victim, Andres Armando Elena, 21, including a man who had "RIP Andy M" shaved onto the back of his head, watched the court proceeding this morning.
One woman began weeping loudly at the mention of Elena's name and another got up and left, shaking her head, as Justice of the Peace Ann Zimmerman read the charges against Quijano, 25.
Those charges are murder with the use of a deadly weapon and attempted murder with the use of a deadly weapon in connection with Elena's death.
Quijano is also charged with a third felony count, battery with the use of a deadly weapon resulting in substantial bodily harm, for allegedly stabbing a second man, Steven Velasquez, 22.
The judge set Quijano's next court appearance for 8 a.m. Friday, when an attorney will be named to represent him.
Deputy Public Defender Timothy O'Brien told the judge that the public defender's office had represented Elena eight times.
O'Brien said he would let the judge know by Friday whether there were any conflicts of interest in the public defender's office concerning the case and whether Quijano would decide to go with an outside attorney.
According to a police report, 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 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, which has a four- to five-inch blade, after Velasquez allegedly hit his friend with a glass bottle, according to the arrest report. The friend and Quijano both fell to the ground, the report said.
"As Quiano got to his feet he pulled the knife out of his pocket. Quijano claims Velasquez still had part of the broken bottle in his hand, swinging it back and forth like a weapon," the report said.
When Velasquez was focused more on Quijano's male friend and on his female friend, "Quijano said he stabbed Velasquez in the side. Quijano said he stabbed Velasquez in self defense," the report said.
The fight continued.
"Quijano said he thinks he also stabbed another guy that was in front of him," the report said. "Quijano did not see a weapon on the second subject he stabbed who detectives believe was Andres Elena. Elena was stabbed once in the left chest. Quijano said he stabbed Elena to get him back."
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.
— Sun reporter Jackie Valley contributed to this report.
CORRECTION: This story originally reported that Deputy Public Defender Timothy O'Brien said his office had represented Quijano eight times, but the story has been corrected to say Elena was represented eight times. | (June 29, 2011)
"The public defender's office had already represented Quijano eight other times." Hmmm, sounds like an Obama "Dream Act Candidate." What's really amazes me is, this scum bag, after 8 other run ins with the law, he was still on the streets and still in the country... With a total of 9 run ins with the law, with the last being for "Murder" I say lock him up for life, then deport his dead body back to Mexico...
First of all who says this guys and illegal immigrant, second what does Obama have to do with it. Third who carries a stiletto knife around!
Actually Jack, this person doesn't sound like a DREAM Act candidate at all; perhaps you should do some research or at least read the Wikipedia page before making such an ignorant statement: "This bill would provide conditional permanent residency to certain illegal alien students who graduate from US high schools, who are of good moral character, arrived in the U.S. legally or illegally as minors, and have been in the country continuously for at least five years prior to the bill's enactment. If they were to complete two years in the military or two years at a four year institution of higher learning, the students would obtain temporary residency for a six year period."
Also, did I miss where the article mentions his citizenship, or are you just assuming he is here illegally? Because we know US citizens NEVER commit crimes.
It says the public defender represented the victim, Elena 8 previous times, not the assailant.
RIP Mr. Elena, but 8 previous run ins with the law?
There probably should be video to clear up any lying.
Once again, a group of idiots with nothing better to do than engage in a fight to the death. You're on the Las Vegas Strip!...You couldn't find anything to do?
Send this guy to jail. Another life ruined from just plain stupidity.
Love the you assume Stephannie. Just where did I say he was an "Illegal Alien?" Because I said "Deport?" Perhaps you're the "Ignorant" one Steph. Go look up the meaning of "Deport." Go ahead, I'll wait....
I'll save ya the time as you may not have the talent needed to research the word "Deport."
deport [dpt]
vb (tr)
1. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) to remove (an alien) forcibly from a country; expel
2. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) to carry (an inhabitant) forcibly away from his homeland; transport; exile; banish
3. to conduct, hold, or behave (oneself) in a specified manner.
See number 2 Steph. And as for the dream act comment, pure sarcasm... If you couldn't understand that by reading it.... then as you called me... you're IGNORANT.
I probably understand the Dream Act way better than you, I've actually read the entire bill.... not some edited version on "Wiki:
I assume that you assume he is an illegal alien because no matter how much you may try and use a dictionary to twist your own words, when you say "deport his dead body back to Mexico" the meaning of that is that a person is from the country you want to "deport" them "back to." In addition, the DREAM act that you refer to is not intended for those who are already US citizens, so how do either of your comments make any sense at all given your backtracking? They don't.
@TomD1228 I agree, lock him up. There's plenty of fun and non-violent things to do on the Strip.
jack....the victim had been defended by the public defender 8 other times.
*Jack Melcher
You do realize that you are a bigot right? A worthless bigoted dimwit who sees nothing but race in these matters.
You see a Hispanic and you begin spewing your bigotry. Shame on you bigot.
Worthless person you are.
Hmmm, sounds like an Obama "Dream Act Candidate."
----------------------
Yeah, clearly this is somehow all President Obama s and Senator Harry Reid s fault, right Jack?
to all of your comments, let me tell you that before you make any type of nasty remark, you should research the information. I do know this man personally and he is not all that you dispicable people say he is and to send some one to jail, you do have to prove he is a killer!!!! I do hope some day one of your family member is not caught in this horrible situation cause baby there is something called "KARMA" you disgusting racist pigs!!!!!
Deputy Public Defender Timothy O'Brien told the judge that the public defender's office had represented "Elena" eight times. Not "Quijano" as stated by the ill informed cibolojack (Jack Melcher). The article seemingly in question states nothing about the individuals legal status as to being in this country. (Jack Melcher) please be fair and stop using news reports for your own personal agendas regarding immigration
brinana, I do agree that everyone has a right to trial before being presumed guilty. I should have said "if convicted" he should be locked up, and I apologize for misspeaking.
However, you use the plural "racist pigs" and really, there is only one person in the comments to whom that could apply. Most of the commentators are as disgusted with him as you are.
'They just came here for the jobs' PITOOEY!
Jack, here is a hint Einstein...one cannot be a DREAM act candidate if one is a US citizen. And since there is no mention of the defendants citizenship....ah, nevermind it' pointless.
Does it hurt to be that stupid?
I must be living on another planet because I see no need whatsoever to be walking around the mall, walking into NYNY casino, enjoying time with friends....and I need to be armed with a stiletto knife? Also, doesn't the raiders jersey signify gang affiliation? Maybe Briana can comment because she knows him. Was he a gang member?
Even the man who lost his life..WTF? 21 years old and already 8 times he needs a public defender!! In 3 years!! Who knows how many times as a juvenile as well. Where was the outrage from the family towards this family member as he was involved in unlawful activities?? 8 times represented by the public defender. I'm sorry, but this guy should have had his life spared by being in prison.
Looks like Jack "ran out of gas" LOL
I pray Justice on this loser who would really stab and kill someone over a comment made Andy Elena was loved by so many and to be gone from his family friends and his brother makes me so sick who really kills someone over a stupid comment??....Victor is guilty ...Saying he stabbed Andy Elena knowing he didnt have any weapons is murder and hope he lives every day of the rest of his life in prison !!!!!! I hope Victor's family feels so much pain for having a cold blooded killer for a family member !!!!WE WILL NEVER SEE ANDY ELENA AGAIN THANKS TO THIS LOW LIFE LOSER!!! ANDY HAD NO WEAPONS BUT WAS STILL LEFT DEAD MAKES ME SICK......RIP ANDY ELENA YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN....
Anyone who represents Raider Nation is an illegal alien from somewhere.
GANGBANGERS, get a life, Elena is dead and Q goes to jail , What a wonderful life. Losers
after reading all comments made on this trajedy, it surprises me on how people just like to write on what they think, being bad or good. lets start off by saying yes, it was a terrible thing what happened to andres elena and i feel sorry for his family's loss. but i too know Quijano personally, if Elena was represented 8 times by the public defender, that begs to question what kind of person he was too? both groups were ignorant on letting comments made of the girl get to the point of fighting, and it shouldnt have happened, period. i feel bad that Quijano put himself in that position. if someones coming at you with a broken bottle, as stated in his police report, wouldnt you defend yourself any way possible? and of course nothing happened to the guy that cracked the bottle over Quijanos friend, the guy that was waving a broken bottle, why wasnt he arrested? weather your hispanic or wearing a raiders jersey, doesnt make you a gang member or an illegel, so please quit the assumptions. and NO!, Quijano is not a gangmember. I beleive in his story and he too will be missed because he is not a murderer!
first of all i am TRYING REALLY HARD TO BE NICE ON THIS COMMENT!!! cause it needs to be seen. For ( JACK MELDNER) AKA CIBOLOJACK.... you need to get your FACTS STRAIGHT...before commenting ignorant stuff just because Quijano is hispanic doesnt make him an illegal immigrant!! Quijano has never been represented 8 times for any reason he has never been in trouble with the law!!he is a lay back person..and maybe JACK M. you need to send your body back to where you came from!! Also i wanted to say these few words to the family who is suffering a loss. Im sure all of the family is hurting right now, but dont you believe that the incident that occur could have been avoided. Think to yourselves for one second if you analize the situation. who started the problem first. who care's about a freaking Jersey that came from california or from france italy or neverland. It caused someone to loose their life way to go TRUE FRIEND AND YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE> BEACUSE OF YOU YOUR FRIEND IS GONE> WHO IS TO BLAME NOW. NOBODY with their lost mind would have confronted you or your friend and hurt you if you did not provoke them. this is the outcome of what you are preaching. i feel so sorry for the person who passed away because of your mouth. For the families out there who want to avoid an outcome like this> care for your teenagers see what they are doing and what they are starting out there> is it worth it to put your life at risk just because you have a point or remark to tell people of what you claim. a life is lost.
It is a sad and uninformed world when you rely on Wiki for your misinformation. That has to be the worst site on the web to base your research on. This problem is not going away until our country gets serious about securing the border between North America and South America...by secure, I mean manned by U.S. Soldiers, 20,000 or so should be able to do the job...Not a fan of Obama's DREAM Act...and I sincerly hope that is all it will ever be......a DREAM. And given the high number of illegal aliens in Las Vegas...it is not unrealistic to make that assumption either. Given what we know about this crime...this guy is most assuredly a gang banger...most of which are illegal.