Seven wounded in shooting at funeral home
A man opened fire on a group of mourners outside a central valley funeral home Wednesday night, wounding seven people.
A Metropolitan Police Department source who asked not to be named said the shooting, which didn’t cause any life-threatening injuries, was being investigated as gang-related.
It occurred during the funeral for a 21-year-old man fatally stabbed on the Strip on June 25.
About 50 friends and family members rushed Wednesday night to University Medical Center, where they gathered inside and outside the lobby. Most declined to comment.
"We don’t want no retaliation coming back to us," said a woman who wouldn’t give her name. "We’re just trying to protect ourselves."
Las Vegas police spokesman Bill Cassell said investigators were searching for a Hispanic man who fired at least seven rounds at Palm Mortuary on Main Street between Owens and Washington avenues just before 7 p.m. He said the possibility of a gang link was being investigated but hadn’t been verified.
Police did not release a detailed description of the suspect but said he was seen fleeing south on Main in a white 1970s model Chevrolet El Camino.
Part of the vehicle was painted purple, and the number 7 was also painted on it in a "smoky brown" color. It had chrome rims, Cassell said.
He said the shooter mixed in with those attending the funeral.
"He appeared to initially mingle … and then fired multiple rounds at a group of mourners," Cassell said.
The youngest person wounded was a teenager, he said.
A police source who was upset about the shooting said the funeral was for Andres Elena. His identity was confirmed by several people at UMC. The 21-year-old died from injuries suffered in a stabbing on a pedestrian walkway linking the MGM Grand and New York-New York.
Police said the incident occurred about 4 a.m. June 25. Elena died from wounds to his chest.
Victor Quijano, 25, was arrested in connection with Elena’s death.
Police said the slaying occurred after two groups fought over a comment about a woman.
Quijano was arrested on recommended charges of murder with a deadly weapon, attempted murder with a deadly weapon and possession of a dangerous weapon.
Elena’s death was the first of three in 11 days on the Strip that were unrelated to each other, police said.
Earlier Wednesday afternoon, police held a news conference assuring the public that the Strip was safe.
The violence sparked from Elena’s death appeared to crisscross the valley to the funeral home.
At UMC, people young and old waited for news of their loved ones and friends. Some cried. Others huddled together, speaking about the shooting.
One after another refused interview requests, fearing they could be targeted too.
A police officer at the hospital lobby ordered this reporter to leave.
"The family does not want any media in here," he said. "They just want to grieve."
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.
Contact reporter Antonio Planas at aplanas@review journal.com or 702-383-4638.
