On February 2, 2018, a tragic incident occurred in North Las Vegas, resulting in the deaths of 43-year-old Michelle Dupree and 31-year-old Charles Brooks Jr. The victims were found at Dupree's residence in the Colonial Grand at Desert Vista apartments, located at 3305 E. Rome Blvd.
The investigation revealed that both Dupree and Brooks died from multiple gunshot wounds, and their deaths were ruled as homicides by the Clark County coroner.
Neighbors reported hearing arguing before the shots were fired around 5 a.m..
The primary suspect in this double homicide is Caleb Perez Maxey, who was identified as Dupree's former companion. Maxey, 50 years old at the time, had a history of stalking Dupree. According to the families of the victims, the stalking was severe and had previously escalated to the point where Maxey set Dupree's home on fire while her children were inside.
Maxey was arrested by the FBI Criminal Apprehension team just a few hours after the shooting. He was apprehended in the 700 block of East Naples Drive in Las Vegas and was subsequently held in the Las Vegas City Detention Center. Maxey was charged with two counts of open murder with a deadly weapon and one count of aggravated stalking.
The arrest and charges against Maxey were based on the evidence gathered from the scene and the testimonies of witnesses. The police confirmed that Maxey was the only suspect in the case, highlighting the strong connection between him and the victims, particularly his history of stalking and violent behavior towards Dupree.
Charles Brooks Jr., the 31-year-old victim, was described as Dupree's boyfriend and had also worked as a teacher's aide for five years. Michelle Dupree, a 43-year-old elementary school teacher at Kermit R. Booker Sr. Innovative Elementary School, was known to her community and had been subjected to Maxey's stalking and violence in the past.
The families of the victims have expressed their grief and frustration, emphasizing that the tragedy could have been prevented if more had been done to protect Dupree and Brooks from Maxey's persistent threats and actions. The case underscores the severity of domestic violence and stalking, and the need for robust measures to protect victims from such dangers.
