LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The death penalty will be considered in the case of Alejandro Estrada, the man accused of killing his ex and her new husband inside a Las Vegas Smith's grocery store.
Estrada made his initial appearance in Clark County's Eighth Judicial District Court on Wednesday morning, where prosecutors revealed his case will be submitted for death penalty review.
WATCH | Mary Kielar shares the latest update in the case she's been following since the beginning
He is accused of fatally shooting Amanda and Victor Frias Rosas inside the Smith's grocery store on Maryland Parkway and Silverado Ranch Boulevard on May 12.
Local News
Las Vegas couple killed at local Smith's remembered; heroes stop gunman
According to court documents reviewed by Channel 13, Estrada told his roommate before the shooting that he believed his ex was going to take him to court for not paying child support and that he could end up in jail.
Bystanders tackled Estrada outside the grocery store and flagged police down when they arrived. Investigators said he was found with three guns and multiple loaded magazines.
Crime
Body camera footage shows aftermath of fatal shooting at Smith's
According to investigators, Estrada told police he "made the decision he would have to kill Amanda because she was ruining his life and would not stop" after he was served a notice to appear in court on June 1 for child custody and support matters.
Police believe Estrada planned the attack, citing evidence that he destroyed his cell phone and other electronics and deleted his social media two days before the shooting. Documents state he also went to Amanda and Victor's home before the shooting and destroyed their bedroom "in a fit of rage since Amanda was not home." He then sought the couple at the Smith's grocery store where he knew they worked, according to police.
Estrada faces 13 felony charges, including murder, home invasion, burglary, and discharging a firearm into an occupied structure. He is being held without bail and is scheduled back in court on July 30 at 9 a.m.
What is death penalty review, and how does it work?
It is not uncommon for prosecutors with the Clark County District Attorney's Office to submit cases for death penalty review.
The decision does not mean the death penalty applies, but it does kick off a formal process to determine whether murder cases meet the requirements for capital punishment. The ultimate decision lies with the district attorney.
"If a murder case has the potential to have an aggravating circumstance as part of the fact, then the case will go before our death penalty review committee," DA Steve Wolfson previously told Channel 13.
The death penalty review committee includes senior homicide detectives and Wolfson himself. The defense also has input.
Nevada has not executed an inmate in nearly two decades.
-
Las Vegas police investigating shooting in area of Clark High School
It happened just after 10 a.m. in the 4100 block of Sirius Avenue, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
Las Vegas police investigating shooting in area of Clark High School
[FULL PRESSER] Son shoots father during argument in east Las Vegas, police say
Lt. Robert Price of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department shares preliminary details of a homicide investigation in the east valley, near Sahara Avenue and Bruce Street, on June 9, 2026.
Son fatally shoots father during argument in east Las Vegas, police say
A man was fatally shot by his son during an argument in an east Las Vegas apartment on Tuesday, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
