Arizona man shot by Las Vegas police identified

Las Vegas police have identified the man they shot and wounded on a freeway exit ramp Thursday as Jose Luis Castro, Jr. of Chandler, Ariz.

The 29-year-old man was shot by an officer after Castro shot his girlfriend and began shooting at passing motorists on an exit ramp from northbound Interstate 15 to westbound State Route 160, police said. He was taken to University Medical Center, where he was treated, released and booked into the Clark County Detention Center on charges that include attempted murder with a deadly weapon.

The condition of the woman, whom police did not identify, was not released Friday. Police said Thursday she was critically injured but expected to survive.

No one else was injured in the incident, which started over a lovers' quarrel between the couple as they drove in a red Dodge Durango sport utility vehicle. The driver of the Durango stopped on the exit ramp about 2:30 p.m. Two other men in the car tried to defuse the argument between the couple, but fled after Castro pulled out a shotgun, police said.

Castro shot the woman at least once, police said. She was able to get help from construction workers who flagged down two Las Vegas police motorcycle officers.

Both officers confronted Castro and one fired at him. Both officers have been placed on routine paid administrative leave.

The two men who fled the scene were stopped by police at a nearby Jack in the Box restaurant.

Police said Castro shot at least once at a passing motorist.

Contact reporter Lawrence Mower at lmower@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0440.