Michael Lamar Ragland, a 46-year-old Black male, was fatally shot on the evening of May 27, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The incident occurred at the Siegel Suites on Boulder Highway, near East Flamingo Road. Police were called to the scene just after 8:30 p.m. following reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they found Ragland with a gunshot wound to the chest.
He was transported to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The investigation into the shooting quickly pointed to a suspect, 25-year-old Darron G. Ford. Detectives learned that Ragland had been dating a woman who was Ford's ex-girlfriend. On the day of the shooting, all three had been at a nearby casino. Ford and the woman returned to her apartment at the Siegel Suites, while Ragland remained at the casino. When Ragland later arrived at the apartment and found Ford there with the woman, an argument ensued.
The initial confrontation reportedly began in the parking lot, where Ford allegedly drew a gun before the woman intervened. After a brief departure, Ford returned to the apartment and knocked on the door. When Ragland confronted him, a physical altercation broke out, culminating in Ford shooting the unarmed Ragland in the chest. Ford then fled the scene.
Investigators were able to identify Ford as the suspect after tracing a 911 call to the woman, who then identified her ex-boyfriend as the shooter. According to police reports, Ford sent text messages to the woman after the shooting, apologizing for his actions and mentioning the possibility of turning himself in. Believing he had fled to Westmont, California, authorities began a search. Less than a month later, on June 19, 2018, Las Vegas police took custody of Ford. He was booked into the Clark County Detention Center and faced one count of murder.
