- Police said the two groups of students were arguing over previous bullying incidents
- Teen crime has skyrocketed in Las Vegas: As of November 10, 14 victims between the ages of 15 and 19 have died from murder, an alarming 55 percent increase compared to the previous year
- READ MORE: Family of Las Vegas teen Jonathan Lewis, 17, launches anti-bullying foundation as eight people are arrested for his murder
A Las Vegas father allegedly opened fire on a group of middle school students who were meeting for a fight on Halloween night.
Octavio Arredondo, 34, was arrested after he was accused of shooting at a group of youths fighting in the street in a southeast valley neighborhood, according to documents obtained by 8 News Now.
Las Vegas police officers responded to a call reporting an illegal shooting near the intersection of Nellis Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue on Oct. 31.
According to police, Arredondo picked up his child from a group of middle school students who had met with another group for a fight near the crime scene.
Witnesses said he “hung his arm out the window” and fired three shots at the teens. They added that they had heard a group of students fighting in the street earlier in the night.
34-year-old Octavio Arredondo is said to have opened fire on a group of middle school students who were meeting for a fight on Halloween night
He was arrested after he was accused of firing shots at a group of teenagers fighting on the street in a southeast Valley neighborhood near the intersection of Nellis Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue
Arredondo faces charges including assault with a deadly weapon and child abuse or neglect, according to documents.
A neighbor told police he “heard a group of teenagers fighting in the street” before hearing three gunshots, according to the documents.
Authorities suspect the shooting may be related to allegations of bullying, as the two groups involved were reportedly “harassing, fighting” and shouting “racial slurs.”
Another person said a group of teenagers “selected another student” “in an ongoing feud” stemming from past incidents. There were no injuries or fatalities related to the incident.
Surveillance footage obtained by Las Vegas police shows a driver opening his door and firing a gun at students, according to the documents.
It remains unclear whether Arredondo was the student’s father or stepfather, as there are conflicting reports from witnesses.
Arredondo appeared in court on November 3 when Judge Daniel Westmeyer set his bond at $50,000. He denied any involvement in the shooting or fighting.
While searching the car that police believe was related to the shooting, officers discovered a firearm hidden in the center console.
As of November 10, 14 victims between the ages of 15 and 19 have been murdered in Las Vegas, a disturbing 55 percent increase compared to the previous year.
The incident came a day before the fatal beating of a high school student in Las Vegas as violence among youth increased in the city.
Jonathan Lewis, 17, was attacked by a 10-man mob outside Rancho High School in Las Vegas on Nov. 1. He died in hospital on November 7 – and eight arrests and charges were announced on Tuesday.
Jonathan Lewis, 17, died in hospital days after being attacked by a group of ten teenagers
The teens, aged 13 to 18, were charged with murder after a deadly argument broke out over stolen wireless headphones and possibly a vape pen.
The four oldest teenagers in the group will automatically face adult charges – and the younger four will face a juvenile judge in December to determine whether they can be tried as adults.
Police on Thursday released two images of teenage thugs wanted for murder and are asking for help in identifying them.