Man, woman identified in North Las Vegas murder-suicide
The Clark County coroner’s office has identified a man and woman who died in a murder-suicide on Oct. 9 in North Las Vegas.
Rafael Antonio Meneses, 52, was shot and killed by 50-year-old Debra Gallegos, who then fatally shot herself during a barricade with police, the coroner’s office said. Meneses’ death was ruled a homicide due to a gunshot wound of the head and neck, while Gallegos’ death was ruled a suicide due to a gunshot wound of the head.
About 2 a.m. Oct. 9, officers were called to the Cheyenne Crossings apartments, 2630 E. Cheyenne Ave., after receiving a report of a “suicidal female subject,” the North Las Vegas Police Department has said.
Investigators believed that Gallegos was the 911 caller. When officers arrived at the complex, they found Gallegos standing next to Meneses, who appeared to be dead, police said.
Gallegos “refused commands from police,” and officers left the apartment while crisis negotiators and a SWAT team were called to the scene, police said.
“While setting up (the barricade), a gunshot was heard from inside the residence,” the department said. “A robot was sent into the residence and the adult female was found deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.”
Further information was not immediately available.
Contact Katelyn Newberg at knewberg@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0240. Follow @k_newberg on Twitter.
