- Daniel Lujan Jr., 39, was filmed firing an AR-15-style rifle in a North Las Vegas neighborhood before his arrest and death.
- Residents reported random gunfire, with bullets striking at least one nearby home, but no injuries occurred.
- Police arrested Lujan after he reportedly resisted arrest; impairment is suspected but toxicology results are pending.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA — Days after a California poker player was tied up and robbed at gunpoint inside a Las Vegas Airbnb, another armed incident frightened residents in the Las Vegas Valley. This time, videos showed a shirtless man carrying a rifle through a residential neighborhood and firing toward nearby homes.
The Clark County Coroner’s Office identified the man as Daniel Lujan Jr., 39. He died at University Medical Center after North Las Vegas police arrested him on Sunday, July 19. The coroner has not yet determined his cause or manner of death.
Reports of Random Gunfire Bring Police to Neighborhood
North Las Vegas police responded at around noon to the 6000 block of Yellowhammer Place after receiving reports that a man was randomly firing what authorities described as an AR-15-style rifle.
The residential street is located near North Decatur Boulevard, Deer Springs Way and the 215 Beltway in northern North Las Vegas.
Footage recorded by residents appeared to show Lujan walking through the neighborhood without a shirt while carrying the rifle. Surveillance video obtained by local media showed him approaching a home, banging on its front door and standing on the front steps before gunshots were heard.
Police said they received reports that rounds were being fired toward homes in the area. Authorities have not publicly explained why the homes were targeted or whether Lujan had any connection to their occupants.
Bullet Reportedly Passed Through Home’s Kitchen Wall
One homeowner told FOX5 that she and her family were not home when the armed man approached their property. She said she has a 1-year-old child and was relieved no one was inside during the shooting.
According to the homeowner, one of the bullets traveled through a kitchen wall. Visible damage remained on the front of the property after the incident.
Another resident, Ryan Adams, said he was working inside his garage when he noticed the armed man walking down the street.
Adams initially could not determine whether the weapon was real. When the man moved closer, he recognized that he was carrying a rifle and closed the garage door to prevent him from entering.
Adams later recorded footage from inside his home that appeared to show shots being fired from a neighboring property toward his house. He said his family was shaken but physically unharmed.
Police Say Lujan Resisted Arrest
Responding North Las Vegas officers located Lujan and approached him in an attempt to take him into custody.
Police said Lujan resisted their efforts to arrest him. The department has not yet publicly released a detailed description of the struggle or specified what type of force officers used while apprehending him.
One officer suffered a hand injury during the arrest. Police said there were no other reported injuries to officers or residents.
After officers took Lujan into custody, police said he became unresponsive. Emergency medical personnel transported him to University Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
Police Suspect Impairment
North Las Vegas police said impairment was suspected during the incident. However, officials have not identified any substance Lujan may have consumed or released toxicology findings.
It would therefore be inaccurate to state that he was confirmed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The Clark County Coroner’s Office is responsible for determining what caused Lujan’s death and whether it was natural, accidental or connected to another circumstance. Both the cause and manner of death remained pending as of July 21.
Authorities have not announced a motive for the neighborhood shooting, disclosed how many rounds were fired or explained how Lujan obtained the rifle.
The North Las Vegas Police Department said the investigation remained in its preliminary stages and that additional information would be released when available.
No residents were physically injured despite bullets reportedly striking at least one occupied residential property.
For more alarming and unexpected incidents captured on camera, watch our video here:
