LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Text messages sent by a man to his coworker allegedly led to a fatal shooting at a local Five Below earlier this month, according to an arrest warrant for the suspect.
Officers responded to the retail store, located near Lake Mead and Rainbow just after 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17 following reports that a customer had shot an employee.
The victim, later identified as 31-year-old Brandan Lucas was found with multiple gunshot wounds and was later pronounced dead. An autopsy later revealed he suffered three gunshot wounds.
According to warrant details, the store manager identified the suspect as David Vasquez, the boyfriend of one of the employees, who was not at work the day of the shooting.
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Detectives say surveillance video shows Vasquez entering the store around 4:29 p.m., approaching Lucas in the tech area, and then quickly escalating into a fight. The store manager told investigators she tried tried to stand between them and de-escalate. Vasquez then allegedly shot Lucas and then fled the scene.
Police later checked the vehicle’s license plate data, which indicated it traveled west on Smoke Ranch Road from Rainbow Boulevard shortly after the shooting.
In the report, investigators say the confrontation may have started due to Lucas allegedly sending flirtatious text messages to Vasquez’s girlfriend the day before.
Police interviewed her and described Vasquez as having anger issues and being extremely protective, according to the report.
She told investigators that she showed Vasquez the text thread with Lucas, which also included his work schedule, and that he became upset.
She also mentioned to officials that she was not at work the day of the shooting due to not feeling comfortable working alone with Lucas.
As of Tuesday, Vasquez has not been arrested and is facing multiple counts including open murder.
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