The morning of May 12, 2026, began like any other for Victor Frias Rosas and his wife, Amanda Rosas. The couple, who worked together at a Smith's Food & Drug store in southwest Las Vegas, were shopping in the very store they were employed, gathering items for a celebration. Tragically, it was a day that would end in a devastating act of violence that would claim both of their lives. Inside the grocery store, in aisle four, they were confronted by Alejandro Estrada, Amanda's ex-boyfriend.
Armed with two firearms and multiple loaded magazines, Estrada opened fire, killing both Victor and Amanda. The attack was not a random act of violence; it was the culmination of a long-standing and bitter dispute over child support payments for the two children Amanda shared with Estrada. In the weeks leading up to the shooting, Estrada had expressed his anger over the financial obligations and had begun making preparations that suggested a premeditated act of violence, including quitting his job and giving away his belongings.
On the day of the shooting, Estrada's violent intentions became terrifyingly clear. Before arriving at the Smith's, he had gone to Victor and Amanda's home. Surveillance footage captured a figure matching his description near the property, and police later discovered that the home's surveillance camera had been ripped off, a sliding glass door was shattered, and a spent. 45 caliber casing was found on the patio, indicating he had been there with a weapon. Unable to find the couple at home, Estrada proceeded to their workplace. He entered the store and, after locating them, waited for them to turn their backs before he began shooting. The sudden eruption of gunfire sent shoppers scrambling for safety. One witness described the scene as chaotic and terrifying, with loud gunshots echoing through the store. Amid the panic, Estrada, appearing calm and expressionless to witnesses, attempted to leave the store. However, his escape was thwarted by the courageous actions of two bystanders who tackled and disarmed him, holding him until Las Vegas Metropolitan Police arrived.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the community was left in shock and mourning. A memorial of flowers, balloons, and photos grew outside the Smith's store as friends, coworkers, and strangers paid their respects to Victor and Amanda. The investigation that followed revealed the depth of Estrada's motive. He confessed to the police, stating that he killed Amanda because he believed she was ruining his life with the child support demands, and he shot Victor because he saw him as part of the problem. He had even left a red folder containing court documents tucked under Amanda's arm, a chilling message to the police explaining his reasons. Alejandro Estrada was arrested and faced a litany of charges, including two counts of open murder with a deadly weapon, burglary, and aggravated stalking. During his initial court appearance, he was denied bail, with the judge citing the calculated and violent nature of his actions and the profound threat he posed to the community. The Clark County District Attorney's office announced that they were considering pursuing the death penalty for Estrada's crimes. The case stands as a tragic example of how a domestic dispute can escalate to a horrific and public act of violence, leaving a family shattered and a community in grief.
