Current:Home > Markets15-year-old North Dakota runaway shot, killed in Las Vegas while suspect FaceTimed girl -MarketLink
15-year-old North Dakota runaway shot, killed in Las Vegas while suspect FaceTimed girl
View
Date:2025-04-16 13:35:46
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! (9635)
Related
- Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
- Suspect in Holloway disappearance to appear in federal court for extortion case; plea deal possible
- ADL official on anti-Jewish, Muslim hate: 'Our fight is often one that is together'
- Jurors in New Mexico deliver split verdicts in kidnapping and terrorism case
- Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
- Prison guard warned that Danilo Cavalcante planned escape a month before he fled, emails show
- Neymar in tears while being carted off after suffering apparent knee injury
- Stock market today: World markets edge lower as China reports slower growth in the last quarter
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- Biden will be plunging into Middle East turmoil on his visit to Israel
Ranking
- McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
- Clemson's Dabo Swinney: 'Maybe we need to lose a few games and lighten up the bandwagon'
- Jeannie Mai's Estranged Husband Jeezy Details His 8-Year Battle With Depression
- Dolly Parton talks new memoir, Broadway musical and being everybody's 'favorite aunt'
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon: A true story of love and evil
- Sophia Bush Is Dating Soccer Star Ashlyn Harris After Respective Divorce Filings
- Maryland medical waste incinerator to pay $1.75M fine for exposing public to biohazardous material
Recommendation
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
Appeals court allows Alex Murdaugh to argue for new trial because of possible jury tampering
Rockets trade troubled guard Kevin Porter Jr. to Thunder, who plan to waive him
Supreme Court orders makers of gun parts to comply with federal ghost gun rules
Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
A’s pitcher Trevor May rips Oakland owner John Fisher in retirement video: ‘Sell the team, dude’
Justice Amy Coney Barrett says it would be a good idea for Supreme Court to adopt ethics rules
Federal jury convicts two employees in fatal Wisconsin corn mill explosion