Report details ‘random’ murder in Las Vegas complex; suspect accused of attacking jail inmate
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The woman accused of what police called a “random” murder in a west Las Vegas valley apartment complex told police she did not remember the shooting. Days later, she “out of nowhere” attacked an inmate at the Clark County Detention Center, documents said.
On Tuesday, March 26, shortly after 4 p.m., Metro police officers responded to an apartment complex in the 3600 block of South Fort Apache Road near Twain Avenue after a man was shot in the throat.
Arriving officers found Raul Cardoza-Lopez, 41, suffering from a gunshot wound to the neck. Witnesses said Cardoza-Lopez was shot while he was sitting inside of his work vehicle.
Cardoza-Lopez and his brother were at the complex that afternoon to clean two carpets, according to an arrest report.
Cardoza-Lopez’ brother, who was sitting in the passenger side of the van, told police he heard the shot and turned toward his brother, seeing a “large amount of blood” coming from Cardoza-Lopez’ neck, according to the report. He immediately ran around the van and began to render aid.
Officers spoke with witnesses who described the suspect as a white woman wearing all-black clothing, with a “sleeping bag across her shoulders, hair in a ponytail, and numerous tattoos on her face and neck,” the report stated.
Officers were then able to locate a woman nearby who matched the description of the suspect. She was later identified as Kayla Alery, 27. The 8 News Now Investigators first identified Alery on Wednesday.
Several witnesses positively identified Alery as the suspect in the shooting.
Police asked Alery if she was armed, and she responded that she was. Officers did a pat-down search of Alery, finding a handgun concealed in her front waistband, according to the report.
Alery told police she did not remember how she got the gun, but that she likely stole it because she did not have any money, the report stated.
One witness told police he saw Alery attempting to open different vehicle doors in the parking lot of the complex. He parked his car so the cameras in his car could get a better view of Alery. One video clip showed Alery trying to open the front door of a parked van, according to the report.
Another clip showed Alery approaching Raul’s van holding what appeared to be a firearm before a gunshot can be heard, according to the report.
Before the shooting, several people noticed a “suspicious person” on the property. Three employees of the apartment complex followed Alery around the complex telling her to leave. She attempted to climb over a wall to exit the complex, but workers directed her to the main gate, the report stated.
While passing Cardoza-Lopez’ van, she pulled out a handgun and shot one time, hitting Cardoza-Lopez in the neck, before running out of the complex, the report stated.
A records check showed Alery was a three-time felon for attempted burglary and arson. She was released from prison just months before the shooting and ordered not to have any weapons, the 8 News Now Investigators first reported Wednesday.
Alery told police she did not remember the shooting or anything about her activities before she was taken to police headquarters, according to the report.
After her arrest, police took Alery to the Clark County Detention Center, where she attacked another inmate “out of nowhere” while she was waiting to be processed, documents said.
The inmate said they were talking to a corrections officer when Alery stood up and punched them in the face.
Alery faces the following charges:
Open murder
Assault with a deadly weapon
Owning or possessing a gun by a prohibited person
Carrying a concealed weapon without a permit
Discharging a gun into an occupied structure or vehicle
Battery by a prisoner
Violation of parole
Alery was being held at CCDC without bail. Her next court appearance was scheduled for April 2.
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