Police credit North Las Vegas man for helping woman shot by ex

By Ana Ley

Published Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 | 1:20 p.m.

Updated Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 | 5:53 p.m.

North Las Vegas police credited a good Samaritan for helping a woman shot by a suicidal ex-lover.

Sgt. Tim Bedwell said a police standoff followed the shooting Saturday afternoon and ended when the shooter, 67, turned the gun on himself and died at the front door of his home near Ann Road and Via Victoria Street.

The man, who lived alone, apparently shot at the woman shortly after noon and struck her once. The good Samaritan noticed her bleeding on the home’s front yard, and he sprinted toward her to get her to the safety of his home before calling 911.

The victim, 23, was rushed to University Medical Center, where she is expected to recover. Bedwell said she had apparently visited the home to pick up some belongings after her breakup with her ex.

The victim's current boyfriend had accompanied her that afternoon but walked to a nearby gas station to avoid a confrontation with the man. When the boyfriend returned to the home to rejoin her, he arrived about the same time officers did while the shooter was still inside.

The gunman eventually came to the door, ignoring commands to drop his weapon. Instead, he shot himself once in the head and died.

He has not been identified.

Bedwell praised the good Samaritan for placing his own life in danger to help the injured woman.

"I don't even know if he knew her," Bedwell said. "It definitely looks like a commendable act."

After the shootings, officers cordoned off a large area around the home with police tape and screened vehicles at the entrance to the subdivision. Members of the media were not allowed inside.

Past the yellow tape, children played on the street while their parents gathered in a crowd near the site of the shootings. Meanwhile, police guarded the crime scene until the medical examiner arrived to remove the man's body.

Neighbors said they'd heard the couple argue, but their tiffs had never before spilled outside.

"They'd been fighting and police would come," said Bernard Agapito, 41.

He and his son, Joshua Agapito, 11, said the incident was a shock for the community because it was generally a quiet place with little police presence.

"It's a peaceful community," Bernard Agapito said. "You don't expect this to happen."