Overview and Purpose
This reference compiles information on notable Las Vegas victims in a clear, factual manner. It is designed to provide durable context, reduce confusion, and offer a verified summary of each case where publicly available records and official reports allow. The focus is on accuracy, clarity, and long-term usefulness rather than sensationalism or speculation. The following sections detail individual profiles, circumstances, and the broader context to support understanding and responsible reporting.
Notable Cases: Verified Profiles and Key Identifiers
High-Profile Incidents with Public Records
Several high-profile incidents in Las Vegas have been documented in official reports, court filings, and investigative coverage. These cases vary in scale, context, and public impact, but each is summarized here based on information from law enforcement, court records, and reputable news sources. The table below captures essential verified attributes, including names (where public), dates, and confirmed circumstances to support clarity and reference.
| Name / Identifier | Date / Period | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen Craig Paddock (October 1 Shooting) | October 1, 2017 | 64-year-old male; opened fire from the Mandalay Bay hotel; 61 fatalities, 491 injured; died by suicide at scene; investigation concluded no co-conspirators | Law enforcement reports, court filings |
| Floyd Dent | January 2015 | 66-year-old African American motorist; severely beaten during traffic stop in Las Vegas; excessive force settlement approved; city paid $1.25 million | Police report, civil settlement records |
| Sandra Jo Tuck (Murder, 1979) | December 1979 | 42-year-old waitress found dead in her car at a Las Vegas apartment complex; husband convicted of first-degree murder; sentenced to life | Court records, news archives |
| Tupac Shakur (Homicide, 1996) | September 13, 1996 | 25-year-old rapper; died after drive-by shooting in Las Vegas; six gunmen convicted in 1998; record includes arrests and plea agreements | Court records, police reports |
| Jerome Rogers (Murder, 1989) | August 1989 | 25-year-old man killed execution-style at a party; perpetrator convicted of murder; victim’s family pursued wrongful death claims | Court records, news coverage |
| Lorenzo Jerome Banks (Homicide, 1993) | August 1993 | 23-year-old college student; killed during robbery near UNLV; suspect arrested and sentenced; community impact and campus safety discussions followed | Law enforcement reports, court filings |
| Sante Kimes (Murder, 1998) | May 1998 | Victim found in Las Vegas home; perpetrator convicted; case highlighted crimes against the elderly and identity theft | Court records, investigative reporting |
| Murder of New York Couple (2014) | June 2014 | Anming Wang and Cecilia Liu; victim couple on a work trip; suspect (friend) convicted of first-degree murder; diplomatic and consular considerations involved | Court records, Department of State updates |
Definitions and Clarifications
In public safety and legal contexts, “victim” refers to a person directly harmed by crime or incident. A Las Vegas victim may be a resident or visitor; harm may be physical, financial, or psychological. Law enforcement typically classifies victims by incident type—e.g., homicide, assault, robbery, fraud—using standard reporting taxonomies such as the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. Clarifying terminology helps ensure consistent understanding across sources, reducing ambiguity in references to statistics, legal outcomes, and community impact.
Background on Incidents in Las Vegas
Las Vegas, located in Clark County, Nevada, is a major tourism and entertainment destination with a transient population and a complex public safety environment. Crime patterns reflect this dynamic, including property crime associated with hospitality sectors, violent incidents tied to nightlife and nightlife venues, and targeted attacks in semi-public spaces. Historical cases often involve jurisdictional coordination among local police, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), the Clark County District Attorney’s Office, and federal agencies when warranted. Understanding this context is important when reviewing specific case details and outcomes.
Public Records and Sourcing
Information in this reference draws from official and authoritative sources, including court documents, law enforcement reports, investigative journalism, and reputable public databases. Where details—such as victim names, dates, or circumstances—are confirmed through multiple reliable sources, they are noted. When public records are limited or sealed, this is indicated. The aim is transparency about what is known, what is inferred, and where uncertainty remains. Readers are encouraged to consult primary legal documents or official channels for case-specific inquiries.
Community Impact and Safety Considerations
High-profile or repeated incidents can affect community trust in law enforcement, shape policy discussions, and influence perceptions of safety in tourism-dependent areas. Victim impact statements, memorials, and advocacy efforts have played roles in prompting changes such as increased venue security, improved reporting mechanisms, and community outreach programs. Long-term safety strategies in Las Vegas have included coordination between hospitality venues, event organizers, and public safety officials to reduce risk and respond effectively to emergencies.
Responsible Reporting and Memorialization
Discussions of victims, particularly those who died in violent or traumatic incidents, should be handled with care and respect. Names, images, and personal details should be shared in accordance with privacy considerations and family wishes. This reference emphasizes factual accuracy, context, and sensitivity, avoiding graphic detail for its own sake. By focusing on verified information and clear context, it seeks to support informed understanding while honoring those affected.