On September 10, 2021, a fatal shooting occurred in Las Vegas, Nevada, resulting in the death of 44-year-old Rafael Ampier Jr. The incident took place at a residence located on Montcliff Avenue, near the intersection of Rainbow Boulevard and Twain Avenue.
The events leading to Ampier's death began when he attempted to evict Antoine Cloutier and his wife, who were renting a room from him.
According to the police report and witness statements, Ampier told the couple to leave the premises immediately, which led to a heated argument. Cloutier claimed that Ampier became violent, slamming his head into the ground and then attacking his wife. In an effort to protect his wife, Cloutier admitted to shooting Ampier.
The shooting occurred in the garage of the residence, where Cloutier, his wife, and their daughter were discussing their living arrangements. When Ampier began arguing with Cloutier's wife, the situation escalated, and Cloutier intervened by shooting Ampier. Ampier was found suffering from a gunshot wound and was transported to University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Antoine Cloutier, the 44-year-old suspect, was subsequently arrested on a murder charge. He was found about seven hours after the shooting in an abandoned car approximately a mile and a half from the scene of the crime. Cloutier was taken into custody and is being held without bail. He is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing, although the exact date of the hearing was initially set for September 28, 2021.
Cloutier's defense, as stated to the police, was that he acted in self-defense and to protect his wife from Ampier's alleged assault. However, the legal proceedings will determine the validity of this claim and the appropriate charges against Cloutier. The case highlights a tragic outcome of a dispute over eviction, leading to a fatal confrontation.
