Joe Martin Moreno, Jr., known to his family as J.R., was a father of two young daughters who his sister said were the light of his life. The 47-year-old man was described by loved ones as charming, witty, and part of a large family with ten siblings. His girlfriend later shared that he had bipolar disorder, and a family member noted he had endured struggles in his life.
On the evening of May 13, 2024, a dispute between neighbors in a Summerlin community in Las Vegas turned fatal.
The conflict began around 7:07 p.m. when Eddie Moreno, 32, and his family arrived home on Starline Meadow Place. They encountered their neighbor, Joe Moreno, who was outside and appeared upset. According to Joe's girlfriend, they had argued earlier and she had locked him out of their house. The two men, who were not related despite sharing a last name, became involved in a heated verbal altercation.
As the argument continued, Eddie Moreno’s wife called 911 to report that Joe was causing a disturbance. She told the dispatcher he was exposing himself in front of her children, though she would later testify that she only saw him make an “insinuating motion” over his clothing and said what she did to get police to arrive faster. While she was on the phone, gunshots rang out. Officers arrived to find Joe Moreno in his own driveway, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Eddie Moreno surrendered to police without incident. During interviews, he claimed that Joe had been on his property and had “rushed” him, prompting him to shoot. However, investigators obtained surveillance footage that captured the entire incident. A homicide detective testified that the video showed Joe Moreno was on his own property, standing on a large rock and not advancing toward Eddie, when he was shot. The recording also captured Eddie telling Joe, “I am about to murder you.” No weapon was found on Joe.
Eddie Moreno was arrested and charged with open murder with a deadly weapon. He was indicted by a grand jury and initially pleaded not guilty in August 2024. The case proceeded through the legal system for two years. On June 23, 2026, Eddie Moreno accepted a plea agreement and pleaded guilty to a downgraded charge of voluntary manslaughter with a deadly weapon. His sentencing was scheduled for September 2026.
