On a Friday afternoon, March 27, 2020, in Henderson, Nevada, a fatal encounter unfolded on a residential street. Edgar Monzon-Serrano, a 22-year-old Hispanic male from North Las Vegas, was shot and killed. The Clark County coroner's office later determined his death was a homicide resulting from a gunshot wound to the chest. The incident occurred around 2:20 p.m. in the 200 block of Shoshone Lane, near Lake Mead Parkway and Warm Springs Road, after police received calls about a shooting.
When authorities arrived, Monzon-Serrano was found deceased at the scene.
The investigation revealed that the killing was the result of a drug deal gone wrong. Edgar Monzon-Serrano and his brother, John, had been led to the Shoshone Lane location by two other men. According to police reports, John Monzon-Serrano told investigators he was driving his brother to meet two unknown men for reasons he did not specify. Once there, one of the men, identified as Hector Rosales, reportedly told Edgar Monzon-Serrano to get out of his vehicle or he would be killed. A struggle then broke out between the brothers and Rosales, during which Rosales allegedly fired several shots, fatally wounding Edgar. During the altercation, the 27-year-old brother also sustained minor injuries after being struck over the head with an object.
The suspects, described as a man with a long beard and bushy hair, fled the area in a white compact vehicle. However, in their haste, one of the suspects left behind a crucial piece of evidence: a backpack. Inside, police discovered nearly 5,000 grams of what they suspected to be cocaine. Statements from multiple neighbors also aided the investigation. Henderson police identified Jose Cortez and Hector Rosales as the men responsible for the fatal shooting.
Months later, authorities made a breakthrough in the case. On December 21, 2020, Jose Cortez was arrested on a warrant and faced charges of open murder with a deadly weapon and conspiracy to commit murder. A warrant for the arrest of Hector Rosales on the same charges was issued in August of that year.
