In the early hours of a Tuesday in Las Vegas, a confrontation between neighbors culminated in the death of 39-year-old Hispanic male, Joe Jr. Vasquez, who was fatally shot on May 16, 2017. The Clark County coroner's office later identified the deceased as Jose Luis Vasquez. The incident unfolded at an apartment complex located on South Decatur Boulevard.
According to police reports, the events leading to the fatal shooting began when Vasquez, armed with a knife, entered his neighbor's apartment. The neighbor, who was awakened by Vasquez's presence, told authorities that he shot Vasquez once in the upper chest. When law enforcement arrived at the scene, they found Vasquez deceased.
The Metropolitan Police Department immediately began an investigation into the shooting. The death was officially ruled a homicide by the coroner's office. The central question for investigators was whether the neighbor's actions constituted justifiable self-defense. The neighbor was identified by police, but it was not immediately clear if he would face any charges pending the outcome of the investigation. The case was to be reviewed to determine if the shooter acted within the bounds of the law in response to the perceived threat posed by Vasquez. There have been no subsequent public reports detailing any arrests or the filing of charges against the neighbor in connection with the death of Joe Jr. Vasquez.
