Current:Home > News15-year-old North Dakota runaway shot, killed in Las Vegas while suspect FaceTimed girl -Trailblazer Capital Learning
15-year-old North Dakota runaway shot, killed in Las Vegas while suspect FaceTimed girl
Will Sage Astor View
Date:2025-04-09 09:12:06
A 15-year-old runaway from North Dakota was killed in a Las Vegas apartment while his suspected shooter was showing off his gun to a girl on FaceTime, police said.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police charged Browdy Lee Shaffer, 18, with James Lobue's murder on Sept. 4. The boy was a runaway from Bismarck, North Dakota, according to a police arrest report obtained by USA TODAY.
Officers found James on Sept. 2 lying inside the apartment from a gunshot wound to the torso, the report says. He was then taken to a hospital for emergency surgery, but despite the efforts of medical personnel, he succumbed to his injuries, the document continued.
Two adults and three juveniles were in the residence when police responded, while body-worn camera video caught "a multitude of juveniles fleeing the apartment upon officer's arrival," according to the report.
It is unclear if Shaffer has a defense attorney.
Browdy Lee Shaffer came to apartment with semiautomatic pistol
A female juvenile in the apartment told police that James and another boy slept in the living room of the apartment the night before the shooting, the report says. Upset that the boys were in the living room, the girl's stepfather poured water on them and woke the pair up, prompting them to leave, the document continued.
The boys would ultimately come back and spend the night in the apartment. Shaffer, who had a semiautomatic pistol with him, came by the apartment the next day to confront the girl's stepfather about him pouring water on his brother, according to the report.
While at the apartment, Shaffer began "play-fighting" with his brother and James in a bedroom, the report says. He then made a FaceTime call to an unknown female and began showing her his gun by "illuminating the flashlight and laser," the document continued.
Loud 'pop' heard, everyone ran out of the apartment
At some point, Shaffer was standing next to James with the gun in his hand when a loud "pop" was heard, according to the report. Everyone then ran out of the room, including James, who collapsed at the front door of the apartment, police said in the report.
While everyone fled from the apartment, Shaffer attempted to help the dying teenager, the report says. Before the police arrived, he went back to the bedroom for an unknown reason and then fled the apartment, according to the document.
Police learned that Shaffer came over to the apartment to fight the girl's stepfather "in the street," the report says. Instead of fighting the stepfather, James died from gunshot wounds to his torso and arm, according to the report, citing the Clark County Coroner.
Shaffer was arrested on Sept. 4 and booked at the Clark County Detention Center.
veryGood! (872)
Related
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- David Letterman defends NFL's Taylor Swift focus amid Travis Kelce relationship: 'Shut up!'
- China manufacturing contracts for a 4th straight month in January
- Homecoming: Branford Marsalis to become artistic director at New Orleans center named for his father
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin’s wife, Gayle, hospitalized in stable condition after Birmingham car crash
- Toyota warns drivers of 50,000 vehicles to stop driving immediately and get cars repaired
- Gisele Bündchen mourns death of mother Vânia Nonnenmacher: 'You were an angel on earth'
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- 4 dead, including Florida man suspected of shooting and wounding 2 police officers
Ranking
- Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
- Residents of an east Arkansas town have been without water for the past two weeks
- Candace Cameron Bure's Son Lev Is Married
- 'House of the Dragon' star Milly Alcock cast as Kara Zor-El in DC Studios' 'Supergirl' film
- See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
- UN urges rivals in Cyprus to de-escalate tensions and seize opportunity to restart negotiations
- Bills promote linebackers coach Bobby Babich to become new defensive coordinator
- Federal Reserve is likely to show little urgency to cut interest rates despite market’s anticipation
Recommendation
A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
Greyhound bus crash in Alabama: 1 killed, 9 others injured including bus driver
Utah joins 10 other states in regulating bathroom access for transgender people
Homecoming: Branford Marsalis to become artistic director at New Orleans center named for his father
Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
Turkish parliament strips imprisoned opposition lawmaker of seat
Elton John, Bernie Taupin selected for Gershwin Prize: 'An incredible honor for two British guys'
House Democrats release new report defending Mayorkas against GOP's sham impeachment effort