LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — After nearly a month on the run, the suspect in a fatal shooting at a northwest shopping center has been arrested in California, according to authorities.
WATCH | Senior reporter Mary Kielar went out to the store Tuesday after the announcement of an arrest:
David Vasquez was arrested by San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies on July 13. A spokesperson told Channel 13 he was taken into custody without incident at a house in Barstow, which is more than two hours away from Las Vegas.
The 19-year-old is accused of entering a Five Below store at the Best in the West shopping center at Rainbow and Lake Mead and shooting an employee on June 17.
According to police documents obtained by Channel 13, Vasquez went to the store to confront an employee over text messages he sent to Vasquez's girlfriend, who also worked at the store.
Police said shots were fired inside the store, located inside the Best in the West shopping center on Rainbow and Lake Mead boulevards, around 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
According to documents we reviewed, surveillance video shows Vasquez pulling out a handgun and shooting the victim, Brandan Lucas, multiple times before fleeing the scene. Lucas died from his injuries.
As shoppers attempted to enter the store on Tuesday — which remains closed — Channel 13 heard from one customer who applauded the arrest.
"Very good. I'm glad," Shanika Carter, who regularly shops at the store, said.
Carter said she remembers seeing Lucas in the store.
"I don’t know exactly what happened, but you never know where a person’s mind is at and it’s sad because anything could happen at any time," she said. "I just say when you walk out the door from your family, you better love them, love on them, just in case you don’t make it back."
In an interview with Channel 13, Lucas's cousin questioned what could have been done to prevent the attack.
"Lots of people need to answer to this, because there should have been something put in place for this not to happen," Shekiera Wright told Channel 13 on Thursday. "It shouldn't have been that easy."
WATCH | Brandan Lucas's family members speak out in the aftermath of the fatal shooting:
Vasquez is pending extradition to Las Vegas for multiple felony charges, including open murder with a deadly weapon.
