Man shot, killed outside Las Vegas home
Las Vegas Police are investigating the city’s second homicide in just over four weeks.
According to LVPD, 48-year-old Leroy “Smurf” Lucero, of Las Vegas, was shot and killed around 11:30 p.m on Monday, July 22. Lucero was pronounced dead at the scene in the early morning hours of July 23, police said.
LVPD Investigator Caleb Marquez told the Optic Lucero died from multiple gunshot wounds while outside a residence in the 200 block of San Miguel Street, near North Gonzales Street, on the city’s west side.
Marquez said no suspects have been arrested in connection with the slaying, and he could not release details on any person or persons of interest. Marquez also wouldn’t say if Lucero knew his attacker; however, Marquez didn’t believe there was a threat to anyone in the area.
“The public is safe at this time,” he said. “We believe it wasn’t anything that’s going to put the public in danger.”
In a Monday press release, police said any reports of Lucero’s death being linked to gang retaliation have not been confirmed by police.
LVPD spokesman Cmdr. Steve Pacheco told the Optic he did not have knowledge of Lucero being affiliated with any gangs.
“I cannot say Mr. Lucero was connected to any known gangs other than rumors have been circulating,” Pacheco said.
According to Marquez, police do not have a motive at this time, and he said finding a motive is part of the department’s ongoing investigation.
A spokesman for New Mexico State Police said NMSP was not involved with the investigation while a spokesman for the FBI refused to confirm or deny if agents were investigating Lucero’s death.
Just over four weeks prior to Lucero’s death, on June 15, LVPD responded to a call about a man being shot and killed in a home in the 1100 block of Chavez Street.
Police recently confirmed 27-year-old Cruz Gallegos died of a single gunshot wound in that incident.
Police have named 49-year-old Arturo Ruiz as a person of interest in the case, but said Ruiz is not believed to have killed Gallegos. Ruiz was arrested on unrelated charges earlier this month. While police do have another person of interest in the case, that person has not been named and no arrests have been made.
Marquez wouldn’t say if police believed Lucero’s death was linked to Gallegos’ death.
“That’s part of the investigation at this time,” he said.
The city’s most recent unsolved homicides follow the Jan. 21, 2018, shooting death of Jeromy Vasquez.
No arrests have been made in the case, and LVPD spokesman Cmdr. Pacheco said he would not release any new details.
“That case is still considered sealed until more information can be gathered,” Pacheco said.
Police also haven’t released any information about a man who checked into Alta Vista Regional Hospital with multiple gunshot wounds about 45 minutes after Vasquez was found shot.
As the Optic has previously reported, it appears he was never questioned by LVPD. It’s also unclear if he is considered a suspect or a witness in the case. Pacheco said details of that incident are also sealed and cannot be released at this time.
“I know this is very limited information,” Pacheco said, “but it is essential to maintain operational security so that these cases are not compromised.”
Las Vegas Police have asked anyone with information about any of these homicides to call LVPD at 505-425-7504 and ask for the investigations division.
