Man charged in killing at South Point

A 22-year-old man was arrested Monday on a murder charge in the death of a man in a South Point hotel room.

Matejs Balodis, a Latvian citizen, was accused of beating and killing a man he identified as Sherman Dale Lamb, according to a Las Vegas police report obtained Tuesday. The Clark County coroner’s office could not confirm Lamb’s identity as of Tuesday afternoon.

Balodis told police he was an exchange student from Denmark currently studying in Texas. He said he met Lamb in Las Vegas after his layover flight to New York was canceled. Balodis was eventually headed to Europe for the holidays, he said.

Lamb helped Balodis get a hotel room at South Point, he told police. But eventually Balodis said he discovered Lamb wanted his money and bank pin. The pair began fighting and Balodis hit Lamb several times in the face and head, the report said.

Balodis called police after Lamb “passed out.”

Lamb died at a local hospital.

Balodis was booked at Clark County Detention Center.

Contact reporter Mike Blasky at mblasky@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0283. Follow @blasky on Twitter.