Las Vegas police have arrested a 27-year-old woman for the death of a carpet cleaner in what they said appears to be a random shooting.
Kayla Alery was charged Tuesday with open murder with a deadly weapon, assault with a deadly weapon, and several other felony charges, KVVU reported. She was also charged with battery by a prisoner.
Police said they were called to an apartment complex in west Las Vegas just after 4 p.m. on Tuesday and found 41-year-old Raul Cardoza in his van near the entrance. Officers provided medical aid until medics arrived and took him to a hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Lt. Jason Johannson said Cardoza was at the apartment complex to provide an estimate to a resident. Alery allegedly shot him as he sat in the truck with his brother, he said, and investigators have “no indication at all” there was any kind of prior interaction between them.
“This appears to be a random shooting,” the lieutenant said.
Alery reportedly fled the scene on foot. According to KTNV, detectives learned from witnesses that a person in dark clothing with facial and neck tattoos came up to Cardoza’s van and shot him. Patrol officers located Alery nearby and took her into custody with a firearm.
Johannson said Alery appeared to be burglarizing vehicles in the apartment complex, where she did not live.
Court records show Alery was released from prison in December after serving a time on two arson-related charges, KVVU said. She has previously faced domestic battery and grand larceny charges.
She is due in court Thursday on the latest charges.
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[Featured image: Kayla Alery/Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department]
