LAS VEGAS (KSNV) —
The streets of Las Vegas were recently shaken by a violent shootout that has since garnered significant media attention. A woman and her son, Marquita Wheeler and Tremaine Gentry, have emerged as key suspects in this tragic incident, which left two men, Donald Brown and Sam McCoy, dead. The events surrounding this case are complex, involving not just the shooting itself, but also the subsequent arrests and police investigations that have unfolded since.
The shootout occurred on December 22 in the 1800 block of Lewis Avenue, as noted in a police report. Initial responders were alerted to the violence through multiple “ShotSpotter” notifications, which indicated gunfire in the area. Upon arrival, officers found Brown and McCoy suffering from severe gunshot wounds. Emergency medical personnel pronounced Brown dead at the scene, while McCoy succumbed to his injuries later at Sunrise Hospital. The loss of life reverberated through the community, raising questions about safety and the prevalence of gun violence.
A closer examination of the events leading up to the shootout reveals that a heated argument had escalated in a nearby parking lot. Witnesses reported that tensions flared when McCoy was pushed by a member of another group. This altercation quickly devolved into a violent exchange of gunfire. Importantly, Brown, who was reportedly unarmed, attempted to intervene in the conflict. Tragically, he was shot multiple times as he tried to flee, even falling to the ground in his desperate bid to escape the violence around him.
In the aftermath, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) diligently worked to piece together the evidence. Their investigation included the discovery of a Chevrolet Malibu, believed to be linked to the shootout. This vehicle contained paperwork belonging to Wheeler, as well as a 9mm cartridge casing, which strengthened the case against her and her son. The LVMPD’s meticulous approach to gathering evidence exemplified their commitment to uncovering the truth behind this tragic incident.
As the investigation unfolded, police received an anonymous tip on December 24 that identified Wheeler, Gentry, and another individual as key suspects. This tip provided crucial details, including the description of a white Malibu with California plates that they were reportedly driving. Acting on this information, detectives secured a warrant for Wheeler’s cell phone data. The results were revealing; her phone data placed her at the scene of the shooting, as well as tracing her movements to Fresno shortly thereafter.
Further complicating the narrative, investigators discovered that Tremaine Gentry was already a wanted person in Fresno for a separate carjacking incident. A Fresno police detective, upon viewing the surveillance footage of the shootout, confirmed that Gentry was indeed one of the individuals involved in the gunfire that claimed Brown’s life.
Additional surveillance footage later emerged, offering a different angle of the shootout and allegedly showing Wheeler firing at least one round at Brown. This evidence added another layer of gravity to the charges against her and Gentry. As the police compiled their case, it became increasingly clear that both mother and son played significant roles in this tragic event.
Currently, Marquita Wheeler and Tremaine Gentry are being held without bail at the Clark County Detention Center. Their preliminary hearings are scheduled for January 29, where the details of this case will be further examined, and the legal proceedings will begin to unfold. The community is left to grapple with the implications of this incident, pondering the broader issues of gun violence and accountability in the wake of such a senseless tragedy.