On May 29, 2023, 17-year-old Kristopher Cisneros was fatally shot outside an apartment complex in North Las Vegas. Officers responding to reports of a shooting around 10:56 p.m. found Cisneros unresponsive with a gunshot wound to the chest; he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation led to the arrest of 19-year-old Hector Paramo-Cervantes on August 15.
Paramo-Cervantes, who had arrived at University Medical Center with a gunshot wound on the night of the incident, initially claimed he was randomly shot while walking. However, a search of his apartment revealed ammunition matching casings found at the crime scene. Confronted with this evidence, he admitted involvement, asserting self-defense. Witnesses reported a verbal altercation escalating into a shootout, with Paramo-Cervantes allegedly wielding a rifle.
A second suspect, 22-year-old Marco Monroy, was arrested on September 8 in connection with Cisneros's death. He was apprehended at a Las Vegas residence by a task force led by the FBI, which included multiple local police departments. Both suspects faced charges of murder with a deadly weapon and conspiracy to commit murder.
Cisneros, born on December 7, 2005, was remembered as a sweet and quiet teen. The eldest of three brothers, he took on significant responsibilities at a young age, helping to raise his younger siblings after their mother abandoned the family. He was particularly supportive of a brother with autism. At the time of his death, Cisneros was looking forward to starting his first job and enjoying the summer before his senior year of high school.
The family faced additional hardship due to a delay in notification about Cisneros's death, leaving them searching for him without information for days. A GoFundMe campaign was established to assist with funeral expenses, highlighting the unexpected nature of the tragedy and the financial strain on his single father, Eric, who had worked tirelessly to provide for his sons.
Cisneros's death underscored concerns about public awareness of violent incidents in North Las Vegas. It was revealed that his homicide, along with others, had not been promptly disclosed by law enforcement, prompting discussions about transparency and community safety.
