On August 20, 2016, Candelario Duran, a 37-year-old man from Las Vegas, Nevada, was fatally shot, becoming one of the victims in a series of homicides linked to a single suspect.
The investigation into Duran's death revealed that he was the first murder victim in a string of killings attributed to Alonso Perez. Ballistic tests played a crucial role in connecting the crimes, as they showed that the same bullets were used in the murders of Duran, Mohammed Robinson, and Jeffrey Johnson.
Alonso Perez, who was 25 years old at the time of the crimes, was identified as the lone suspect in these homicides. Perez had a history of violent behavior and was described by investigators as having gang ties and a drug habit, which may have contributed to his quick resort to deadly violence when confronted. The police reported that Perez's actions seemed to be separate outbursts rather than part of a coordinated plan, with Lt. Dan McGrath of the Las Vegas police noting that 'somebody says something, and the next thing you know there's a gun and shots are being fired'.
Perez's arrest and subsequent escape added a dramatic twist to the case. After being taken into custody in connection with the death of Mohammed Robinson, Perez managed to escape from the North Las Vegas Police Department detective bureau. He achieved this by snapping his handcuffs in half, standing on a chair, shifting a ceiling tile, and hoisting himself into a crawlspace. He then drove away in a rental truck that had been left outside the building with its engine running. However, he was recaptured within four days following a manhunt.
The evidence linking Perez to Duran's murder included ballistic tests that matched bullet casings found at the scene of Duran's shooting with those found at the scenes of the other two homicides. Despite the strong evidence, Perez initially faced multiple charges and hearings, including a preliminary hearing for the attempted murder, assault, and firearm charges in a separate shooting case. He was eventually charged with murder in the cases of Robinson and Johnson, and the investigation into Duran's slaying continued to build a case against him.
In October 2021, Perez pleaded guilty to the killings of Duran, Robinson, and Johnson, among other crimes. As part of his plea agreement, prosecutors dropped their pursuit of the death penalty. Perez was subsequently sentenced to three back-to-back life terms without the possibility of parole by District Judge Tierra Jones. During the sentencing hearing, Perez's defense attorney, Alzora Jackson, stated that Perez had taken responsibility for his crimes and expressed humility and respect for the harm he had caused, although he did not make a personal statement.
The family of Candelario Duran, particularly his daughter Selene, expressed deep sorrow and anger over his death. Selene Duran emphasized that there were no excuses for Perez's actions and that nothing could bring her father back. She also expressed fear that Perez might continue to pose a threat to her family even from prison.
