In the late hours of May 3, 2017, the life of 30-year-old Daniel Heintz, an African-American male, was cut short in a burst of gunfire in Las Vegas, Nevada. The incident unfolded around 11:50 p.m. in the 1800 block of Fairfield Avenue, near South Industrial Road and West Wyoming Avenue. Heintz was shot in the head during an exchange of gunfire near the courtyard of an apartment complex. A woman in her 40s was also struck in the shoulder by a bullet but survived her injuries.
Heintz was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his wound two days later, with the Clark County coroner's office ruling his death a homicide.
The investigation into the shooting revealed a complex and violent encounter stemming from a dispute. Authorities identified two men, Shawn Lamont Todriquez, 49, and Kanan Traub, 22, as being involved in the fatal altercation. According to police reports, the incident began with an argument between Heintz and Traub, who were described as rival drug dealers with a previous conflict over stolen marijuana. During the argument, Traub allegedly opened fire at Heintz, but the shot missed and instead struck Todriquez's girlfriend.
As Heintz attempted to flee from Traub, he ran towards Todriquez. In response, Todriquez reportedly retrieved a. 40-caliber handgun from a nearby apartment and fired at Traub. However, his shot missed its intended target and fatally struck Heintz instead. Todriquez later told police that he had accidentally shot Heintz while trying to return fire at Traub.
Following the investigation, Shawn Lamont Todriquez was arrested and faced charges of murder with a deadly weapon and possession of a gun by a prohibited person. Kanan Traub, identified by police as a gang member, was later apprehended in Pomona, California, and faced a charge of attempted murder in connection with the shooting.
