Las Vegas police look for suspect in shooting that led to beltway crash
Las Vegas police were searching for a suspect in the death of a driver found shot after crashing on the 215 Beltway Thursday.
The suspect, 27-year-old Joseph Lucero, had argued with the driver earlier that night at Lucero’s apartment on the 7200 block of Las Vegas Boulevard South, near the 215, police said.
Officers first responded to reports of gunfire around the apartment complex about 7:20 p.m., but they found neither victims nor a crime scene.
About 10 minutes later, Nevada Highway Patrol troopers discovered the victim in a black Jeep that had hit three other vehicles on the eastbound offramp at Eastern Avenue. The man had multiple gunshot wounds and was taken to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, where he died.
Because the crash happened a few miles from the apartment complex where gunshots were reported, police looked again and found a possible crime scene.
Detectives believe the man was shot at the apartments and drove away before crashing. A man matching Lucero’s description was seen near the Las Vegas Factory Outlet Mall on Las Vegas Boulevard South just after the shooting.
The victim’s name will be released by the Clark County coroner’s office after the family has been notified.
Anyone with information about Lucero or the shooting can contact the homicide detectives at 702-828-3521. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555 or www.crimestoppersofnv.com.
Contact reporter Wesley Juhl at wjuhl@reviewjournal.com and 702-383-0381. Follow him on Twitter @WesJuhl.
