Current:Home > Stocks15-year-old North Dakota runaway shot, killed in Las Vegas while suspect FaceTimed girl -Wealth Empowerment Zone
15-year-old North Dakota runaway shot, killed in Las Vegas while suspect FaceTimed girl
View
Date:2025-04-13 21:01:32
A 15-year-old runaway from North Dakota was killed in a Las Vegas apartment while his suspected shooter was showing off his gun to a girl on FaceTime, police said.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police charged Browdy Lee Shaffer, 18, with James Lobue's murder on Sept. 4. The boy was a runaway from Bismarck, North Dakota, according to a police arrest report obtained by USA TODAY.
Officers found James on Sept. 2 lying inside the apartment from a gunshot wound to the torso, the report says. He was then taken to a hospital for emergency surgery, but despite the efforts of medical personnel, he succumbed to his injuries, the document continued.
Two adults and three juveniles were in the residence when police responded, while body-worn camera video caught "a multitude of juveniles fleeing the apartment upon officer's arrival," according to the report.
It is unclear if Shaffer has a defense attorney.
Browdy Lee Shaffer came to apartment with semiautomatic pistol
A female juvenile in the apartment told police that James and another boy slept in the living room of the apartment the night before the shooting, the report says. Upset that the boys were in the living room, the girl's stepfather poured water on them and woke the pair up, prompting them to leave, the document continued.
The boys would ultimately come back and spend the night in the apartment. Shaffer, who had a semiautomatic pistol with him, came by the apartment the next day to confront the girl's stepfather about him pouring water on his brother, according to the report.
While at the apartment, Shaffer began "play-fighting" with his brother and James in a bedroom, the report says. He then made a FaceTime call to an unknown female and began showing her his gun by "illuminating the flashlight and laser," the document continued.
Loud 'pop' heard, everyone ran out of the apartment
At some point, Shaffer was standing next to James with the gun in his hand when a loud "pop" was heard, according to the report. Everyone then ran out of the room, including James, who collapsed at the front door of the apartment, police said in the report.
While everyone fled from the apartment, Shaffer attempted to help the dying teenager, the report says. Before the police arrived, he went back to the bedroom for an unknown reason and then fled the apartment, according to the document.
Police learned that Shaffer came over to the apartment to fight the girl's stepfather "in the street," the report says. Instead of fighting the stepfather, James died from gunshot wounds to his torso and arm, according to the report, citing the Clark County Coroner.
Shaffer was arrested on Sept. 4 and booked at the Clark County Detention Center.
veryGood! (35)
Related
- House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
- Huawei reports its revenue inched higher in January-September despite US sanctions
- Judge says Georgia’s congressional and legislative districts are discriminatory and must be redrawn
- Britney Spears Reveals What Exes Justin Timberlake and Kevin Federline Ruined for Her
- A Georgia governor’s latest work after politics: a children’s book on his cats ‘Veto’ and ‘Bill’
- From Stalin to Putin, abortion has had a complicated history in Russia
- Buccaneers vs. Bills live updates: Predictions, odds, how to watch Thursday Night Football
- Northwestern State football cancels 2023 season after safety Ronnie Caldwell's death
- Beware of giant spiders: Thousands of tarantulas to emerge in 3 states for mating season
- The average long-term US mortgage rate rises for 7th straight week, 30-year loan reaches 7.79%
Ranking
- From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
- Maine mass shooting victims: What to know about the 18 people who died
- Northwestern State football cancels 2023 season after safety Ronnie Caldwell's death
- Stolen bases, batting average are up in first postseason with MLB's new rules
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- Augusta National not changing Masters qualifying criteria for LIV golfers in 2024
- A salty problem for people near the mouth of the Mississippi is a wakeup call for New Orleans
- Alone in car, Michigan toddler dies from gunshot wound that police believe came from unsecured gun
Recommendation
North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
Pedro Argote, wanted in killing of Maryland judge, found dead
Prominent British lawmaker Crispin Blunt reveals he was arrested in connection with rape allegation
Maryland Supreme Court posthumously admits Black man to bar, 166 years after rejecting him
Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
Africa’s fashion industry is booming, UNESCO says in new report but funding remains a key challenge
One trade idea for eight Super Bowl contenders at NFL's deal deadline
Prescription for disaster: America's broken pharmacy system in revolt over burnout and errors