Las Vegas Police Charge Mother and Son in December Shooting That Killed Two

Las Vegas police say a woman and her teenage son have been charged in connection with a December shooting that resulted in two deaths, following their arrest and extradition from California.

According to court records, Marquita Wheeler, 42, and Tremaine Gentry, 18, were taken into custody in Fresno on Dec. 29 and later returned to Las Vegas. Prosecutors have charged both with murder in the death of 37-year-old Donald Brown.

Investigators reported receiving multiple ShotSpotter alerts late on the night of Dec. 22 indicating gunfire in the 1800 block of Lewis Avenue. Officers responding to the area found Brown and 38-year-old Sam McCoy suffering from gunshot wounds. Brown was pronounced dead at the scene, while McCoy later died at Sunrise Hospital.

Police say surveillance footage showed an argument breaking out between Brown, McCoy, and several other individuals in a parking lot. The situation escalated after McCoy was pushed, at which point multiple people reportedly produced firearms and began shooting. Detectives stated that Brown did not appear to be armed and was attempting to intervene before the shooting began. He was allegedly struck by gunfire while fleeing and again after falling to the ground.

During the investigation, officers located a Chevrolet Malibu believed to be connected to the shooting. Inside the vehicle, police found paperwork bearing Wheeler’s name and a spent 9mm shell casing. An anonymous tip received two days later identified Wheeler, her son, and another individual as suspects and linked them to a white Malibu with California license plates.

Cell phone records obtained through a search warrant placed Wheeler at the scene of the shooting and showed her traveling to Fresno afterward, according to police. Detectives also learned that Gentry was wanted in Fresno on an unrelated carjacking case. After reviewing surveillance footage, a Fresno police detective identified Gentry as one of the shooters.

Investigators later obtained additional video that allegedly shows Wheeler firing at least one round during the incident. Both Wheeler and Gentry are currently being held without bail at the Clark County Detention Center. Preliminary hearings for both defendants are scheduled for Jan. 29.

Source: KSNV