News Summary
A shooting on Interstate 15 in North Las Vegas resulted in one person hospitalized and major traffic delays. Commuters are advised to take alternative routes. Additionally, another police-involved shooting occurred involving a suspect charged with attempted murder and child abuse. These incidents have raised concerns about public safety in the community.
North Las Vegas experienced significant disruptions early this morning due to a shooting incident on southbound Interstate 15 near Lake Mead Boulevard at approximately 2:35 a.m. A passenger in a vehicle sustained a gunshot wound and was transported to a local hospital, where the individual is reported to be in stable condition. The investigation is being led by the Nevada Division of Investigation, with no timeline currently available for the reopening of the affected lanes on the interstate.
While the far-right travel lanes remain open, traffic is heavily congested, creating a bottleneck that stretches towards Craig Road. Commuters are being advised to allow extra time for their morning travel or to utilize alternative routes, such as 5th Street, Losee Road, or Civic Center Drive, to help mitigate potential delays.
Further Police Activity
In a separate incident that took place on July 20 at 1:54 p.m. at a Maverik gas station on East Tropical Parkway, North Las Vegas Police were called in response to reports of a suspicious vehicle. The confrontation between police and the vehicle’s occupant, identified as 31-year-old Auftin Green, escalated when he struck Officer Joshua Vardoulis with his vehicle. In response, Officer Vardoulis discharged his firearm five times, one of which struck Green in the torso. Officer Vardoulis sustained minor injuries during the incident; however, one child was ejected from the vehicle and sustained a facial abrasion, while no other children were reported injured.
During the follow-up investigation of this incident, authorities uncovered heroin, methamphetamine, and a firearm within the vehicle. Consequently, Green has been charged with two counts of attempted murder with a deadly weapon and three counts of child abuse or neglect. Additional charges against him are expected. Accompanying Green in the vehicle was Kristal Leavitt, who has been charged with five counts of child abuse or neglect. It was later revealed that neither Green nor Leavitt had custody of the children present during the confrontation.
Broader Context of Violence in North Las Vegas
This marks the second officer-involved shooting in North Las Vegas during the year. In an unrelated incident earlier in the morning, around 2 a.m., a shooting outside a home near Buffalo and Twain startled Spring Valley residents. Reports indicate that nearly 12 rounds of gunfire were heard, raising concerns about potential parties being held at a nearby short-term rental property. Fortunately, this incident did not result in any injuries. However, a cleaning crew later discovered blood in various locations within the rental home, and bullet casings were found on the street. Several residents reported finding bullet holes in their properties, including in cars and garage doors.
The Las Vegas Metro Police Department (LVMPD) is actively investigating this shooting incident, although no arrests have been made at this time. The ongoing violence and recent events have heightened concerns regarding public safety in the community.
Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity as local authorities continue their investigations into these concerning incidents.
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Additional Resources
- News3LV: Police Activity on I-15
- Wikipedia: North Las Vegas
- KTNV: Bodycam Footage of North Las Vegas Shooting
- Google Search: North Las Vegas Shooting
- Review Journal: Teen Shot and Killed
- Google Scholar: North Las Vegas Safety
- 8 News Now: Body Cam Footage of Police Shooting
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Las Vegas
- News3LV: Home Surveillance Shoots Out
- Google News: Las Vegas Gun Violence
