Seven wounded in shooting at funeral home

A man opened fire on a group of mourners outside a central valley funeral home Wednesday night, wounding seven people.

A Metropolitan Police Department source who asked not to be named said the shooting, which didn't cause any life-threatening injuries, was being investigated as gang-related.

It occurred during the funeral for a 21-year-old man fatally stabbed on the Strip on June 25.

About 50 friends and family members rushed Wednesday night to University Medical Center, where they gathered inside and outside the lobby. Most declined to comment.

"We don't want no retaliation coming back to us," said a woman who wouldn't give her name. "We're just trying to protect ourselves."

Las Vegas police spokesman Bill Cassell said investigators were searching for a Hispanic man who fired at least seven rounds at Palm Mortuary on Main Street between Owens and Washington avenues just before 7 p.m. He said the possibility of a gang link was being investigated but hadn't been verified.

Police did not release a detailed description of the suspect but said he was seen fleeing south on Main in a white 1970s model Chevrolet El Camino.

Part of the vehicle was painted purple, and the number 7 was also painted on it in a "smoky brown" color. It had chrome rims, Cassell said.

He said the shooter mixed in with those attending the funeral.

"He appeared to initially mingle ... and then fired multiple rounds at a group of mourners," Cassell said.

The youngest person wounded was a teenager, he said.

A police source who was upset about the shooting said the funeral was for Andres Elena. His identity was confirmed by several people at UMC. The 21-year-old died from injuries suffered in a stabbing on a pedestrian walkway linking the MGM Grand and New York-New York.

Police said the incident occurred about 4 a.m. June 25. Elena died from wounds to his chest.

Victor Quijano, 25, was arrested in connection with Elena's death.

Police said the slaying occurred after two groups fought over a comment about a woman.

Quijano was arrested on recommended charges of murder with a deadly weapon, attempted murder with a deadly weapon and possession of a dangerous weapon.

Elena's death was the first of three in 11 days on the Strip that were unrelated to each other, police said.

Earlier Wednesday afternoon, police held a news conference assuring the public that the Strip was safe.

The violence sparked from Elena's death appeared to crisscross the valley to the funeral home.

At UMC, people young and old waited for news of their loved ones and friends. Some cried. Others huddled together, speaking about the shooting.

One after another refused interview requests, fearing they could be targeted too.

A police officer at the hospital lobby ordered this reporter to leave.

"The family does not want any media in here," he said. "They just want to grieve."

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.

Contact reporter Antonio Planas at aplanas@review journal.com or 702-383-4638.

Trending topics:

• shooting
• Las Vegas police
• Palm Mortuary
• Victor Quijano
• Andres Elena
• Las Vegas Strip stabbing

Comments

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1. Vindictive Jul. 7, 2011 | 3:09 p.m. Report Abuse

   We need to bill the government of Mexico. You know, the one whose President came here last year and lectured US in the U.S. Congress about Arizona's Illegal Immigration bill?

2. smokey Jul. 7, 2011 | 2:32 p.m. Report Abuse

   Gas prices will not kill Las Vegas but the killing and guns will. Especially the cop killings.

3. tomas Jul. 7, 2011 | 1:43 p.m. Report Abuse

   Where are my comments? What's the matter, you can't take the truth?

4. GARY D Jul. 7, 2011 | 1:31 p.m. Report Abuse

   -7- shot and went to UMC ---- Can we send the UMC bill to Calderon in Mexico, or are the taxpayers on the hook for it ???? ----------------- "we don't want no retaliation coming back to us" // Obviously they know the shooter, and the Mexican shootout will continue. --------- Welcome to the New Las Vegas.

5. bghs1986 Jul. 7, 2011 | 12:45 p.m. Report Abuse

   Larry David...I never said they were conducting the copper raid at the exact same time. I said the allocation of resources towards such an enterprise seems an illogical choice, given the current rash of violence in our community. Do you disagree? Would you rather have the cops focusing on a copper theft instead if trying to curtail gang violence? I wouldn't. And as far as Jules question "Where are your facts the cops knew about the funeral?" I sincerely doubt they did. But then I wonder why they didn't know when a victim of suspected gang war was being laid to rest, his friends and family vulnerable targets. So either they knew and didn't see the potential problem or they didn't know despite such information being available in this very publication (http://goo.gl/LcGKl). It took me all of nine seconds to find out information that you are telling me was unknown to police.

6. Joe C Jul. 7, 2011 | 12:43 p.m. Report Abuse

   There is nothing wrong when the demographic make up of country changes. If those coming here are adapting, assimilating and changing the possible wide spread criminal mentality of the country they left behind. If a criminal mentality is mixed with legal residents and supported, like for instance illegally entry etc. We innocent citizens are faced with the dangerous consequences resulting from those continuing to claim victim but they are actually instilling fear, racism, and a justifying of crimes hiding behind accusations. It isn’t the white man that is causing all these ethnic gang explosions and violence but a mentality that they can continue to get away with invading and destroying our country under some perceived injustice to them by whites and the U.S.. I blame much of the Hispanic community along with many in the business community and all those with profit or other agendas for this disgusting and dangerous burden forced on our diversified society. When Hispanic’s claim an issue or claim discrimination they must also claim the negative and costly issues they bring into our home and they are silent.

7. ?????? Jul. 7, 2011 | 12:32 p.m. Report Abuse

   By the way Markey, my first post was sarcasm, in case that went over your head. (Which wouldn't be too difficult to do)

8. ?????? Jul. 7, 2011 | 12:28 p.m. Report Abuse

   Suzie HomeMaker wrote on July 07, 2011 12:05 AM:
   It can happen in any race. Stop with the racist comments. Grow up.
   
   Grow up yourself and look at the facts...it isn't happening in ANY race, is it? Maybe our country would be in better shape if people like you would open their eyes and quit ingnoring the facts. But, then, that would get in the way of you spouting your hyperbole, wouldn't it?

9. Jubal Harshaw 123 Jul. 7, 2011 | 12:09 p.m. Report Abuse

   but...but...but... The Liberals say "they only come here to do the jobs Americans won't do."

10. george. Jul. 7, 2011 | 12:08 p.m. Report Abuse

    So, this is what recovery looks like? Murders on the strip? You haven't seen the heights of the depression, yet, and there's ALWAYS been people on the strip...to be murdered, I guess. Maybe this is what a recovery looks like in Chicago, but these murders have nothing to do with an improving economy.

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