Police make arrest in motel slaying
November 19, 2010 - 10:47 am
Las Vegas police arrested a man early Friday in what they called a drug-related slaying at an extended stay hotel in the south valley.
Donald Taylor, 28, was booked on charges of murder with a deadly weapon and robbery with a deadly weapon in the Thursday death of a 32-year-old man.
The victim, Michael Phelan, had dropped off his girlfriend’s 4-year-old son at the Emerald Suites, 9145 Las Vegas Blvd. S., when he invited two men into one of the apartments about 2:30 p.m., according to Taylor’s arrest report.
The report states a witness saw Phelan attempt a drug deal with the two men. Phelan took out a bag full of marijuana when the two men drew their guns on him, the witness said. Phelan tried to take out a weapon, and gunfire erupted.
Paramedics found Phelan lying in a pool of blood, according to the report.
Taylor acknowledged to detectives to being in the apartment at the time of the shooting but denied shooting Phelan.
Police were searching for the second suspect Friday.
Anyone with information about the case can call the homicide detectives at 828-3521 .