On March 28, 2020, Charles Vailes Jr., a 20-year-old Black/African American male, was fatally shot in a drive-by shooting in North Las Vegas, Nevada. The incident occurred just before 5 a.m. at a gas station near Lake Mead Boulevard and Losee Road. Vailes, an aspiring rapper known by the stage name Luccy2x, was a passenger in a vehicle at the time of the shooting. After he was shot, the driver of the vehicle sped away and went to a friend's house before 911 was called.
When police and medical personnel arrived at the residence, Vailes was pronounced dead at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds. His death was ruled a homicide by the Clark County coroner's office.
The investigation into the death of Charles Vailes Jr. led to the arrests of two men, Kalin Qualls and Jcahoyl Ducksworth. Prosecutors stated that the motive for the shooting was a music rivalry. Ducksworth was reportedly angered by a song that referenced one of his deceased friends. However, Vailes' mother, Kristal McClodden, has maintained that her son did not write or produce the song in question. On the day of the shooting, it is alleged that Qualls drove Ducksworth to the vicinity of the gas station. Ducksworth then reportedly exited the vehicle, ran to the gas station, and opened fire into the car in which Vailes was a passenger.
In the ensuing legal proceedings, Jcahoyl Ducksworth pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder and second-degree murder with a deadly weapon in March 2023. He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 12 years. Kalin Qualls, the alleged driver, was also arrested and charged with murder with a deadly weapon and conspiracy to commit murder. His trial is reportedly still pending. The death of Charles Vailes Jr., who was a father to a 3-month-old daughter at the time, has had a profound impact on his family and community.
