LAS VEGAS, NV – Detectives are searching for a 19-year-old suspect who allegedly shot and killed a Five Below employee inside the store near Rainbow and Lake Mead boulevards.
Deadly Workplace Confrontation
The incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17. According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the suspect, identified as David Nathaniel Vasquez, entered the store and asked for a specific employee.
Lt. Robert Price stated that Vasquez got into a physical altercation with 31-year-old Brandan Lucas before pulling out a handgun. Surveillance footage allegedly shows Vasquez shooting Lucas multiple times before fleeing the scene. Officers attempted life-saving measures, but Lucas was pronounced dead at the store.
Motive Under Investigation
Court documents reveal that investigators believe the deadly dispute stemmed from text messages Lucas had sent to Vasquez’s girlfriend, who also worked at the same Five Below location.
Family members of the victim believe the text message exchange was entirely taken out of context. They described Lucas as a fun-loving family man who had moved to Las Vegas from Detroit four years ago to build a good life.
Suspect At Large
An arrest warrant has been issued for Vasquez on charges including open murder. Authorities state he fled the scene in a silver Honda Civic with California license plates.
- Suspect: David Nathaniel Vasquez (19)
- Vehicle: Silver Honda Civic (CA Plates)
- Contact: Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department or Crime Stoppers of Nevada to provide anonymous tips.
