In the central valley of Las Vegas, a tragic and fatal encounter unfolded on the evening of January 26, 2024. Juan Negron Mex, a 30-year-old Hispanic man, was with another individual in the garage of a residence in the 5200 block of Greene Lane at approximately 6:15 p.m. when they were confronted and robbed at gunpoint by two individuals.
Following the armed robbery, Negron Mex and the other victim made the fateful decision to pursue their assailants.
The chase led them to the 5200 block of Garden Lane, near the intersection of Maryland Parkway and Hacienda Avenue. There, a confrontation ensued between the victims and the suspects. The altercation escalated dramatically when gunfire erupted.
During the exchange, both Juan Negron Mex and the person he was with were shot. The injuries sustained by Negron Mex were fatal, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The second victim suffered critical injuries and was transported to a local hospital for medical attention. Investigators later learned that the victims may have initially believed the suspects' weapon was not real, which might have influenced their decision to give chase.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department launched an investigation into the homicide. Detectives were able to identify two suspects in connection with the robbery and shooting: 21-year-old Ervin Ortega Rodriguez and 19-year-old Daniel Meza-Ortega. Surveillance video from the scene reportedly captured Meza-Ortega firing multiple shots during the incident. Both Rodriguez and Meza-Ortega were subsequently apprehended by law enforcement. A third suspect, a 16-year-old, was also later arrested in connection with the crime.
