A young White man, 22-year-old Joey Perry, was fatally shot at Ian Deutch Memorial Park in Pahrump, Nevada, on the evening of Saturday, July 5, 2025. The incident occurred during a "Movie in the Park" event, where a large fight, reportedly involving dozens of juveniles, broke out. Perry was attempting to break up the fight when the shooting took place.
He was transported to Desert View Hospital by a private vehicle after sustaining four gunshot wounds—three to his back and one to his neck—and was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
The Nye County Sheriff's Office quickly launched a homicide investigation, identifying four suspects. The suspects were believed to have fled the scene in a red Chevrolet Camaro. Over the following days, the suspects turned themselves in to authorities. Two of the suspects, 19-year-old Carlos Blakely and 18-year-old Anthony Aguilar, were charged with open murder and held without bail. Another suspect, 17-year-old Anthony Aguilar and 19-year-old Fabian Ferrante were also being sought by authorities. A witness reported hearing what sounded like automatic gunfire before the suspects' vehicle sped away.
In the wake of the shooting, the community of Pahrump came together to mourn the loss of Joey Perry. Over 200 people attended a candlelight vigil at the park on July 11, sharing memories and offering support to his grieving family. Friends and family described Perry as a selfless and protective individual with a "heart of gold," who was always willing to help others. A red heart was painted on the spot in the parking lot where Perry was killed, though it was later paved over by town officials. Subsequently, an 18-year-old woman named Nevaeh Miller was also arrested in connection with the case, facing charges of harboring a felony offender and destroying or concealing evidence after allegedly providing false information about the whereabouts of one of the suspect's cellphones.
