On March 3, 2015, a tragic incident unfolded at the Broadstone Talavera apartments, located at 2251 S. Fort Apache Road, near the intersection of Sahara Avenue in Las Vegas, Nevada. The incident resulted in the deaths of three individuals, including 21-year-old Cory Justin Childers.
Cory Justin Childers, a resident of Las Vegas, was a computer engineering student at ITT Technical Institute-Las Vegas Campus and worked as a server at Nacho Daddy.
He was known for his caring and jovial nature, often remembered by friends and family for his love of dance and his habit of helping those in need. Childers lived in the apartment where the shooting occurred, along with his girlfriend, Yvonne Rose Reyes, 18, and her mother, Veronica Caldwell, 33.
The shooting occurred around 10:15 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3, following a domestic dispute. The suspect, identified as Blake Widmar, 21, was the husband of Veronica Caldwell and the stepfather of Yvonne Rose Reyes. Widmar shot and killed the three victims outside the apartment before turning the gun on himself. Childers died from a gunshot wound to the neck, while both Veronica Caldwell and Yvonne Rose Reyes succumbed to gunshot wounds to the chest.
Blake Widmar was found inside the apartment suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Initially, he was hospitalized in extremely critical condition but did not survive. Widmar died on Thursday, March 5, 2015, and his death was ruled a suicide by the Clark County coroner's office.
The investigation by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that the shooting was a result of a family disturbance. There were no other suspects involved, and the case did not lead to any arrests since the perpetrator, Blake Widmar, took his own life. The incident was deeply mourned by the community, with a candlelight vigil held in memory of Cory Childers, where friends and family shared personal stories and remembered his vibrant personality.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Cory Childers was remembered for his kindness and generosity. His sister, Ashley Childers, highlighted his selfless nature, including his decision to be an organ donor, which would help others even after his death. The community came together to honor the lives of the victims, reflecting on the profound impact Cory Childers and the other victims had on those around them.
