Fight between homeless men leads to death
A homeless man has been arrested for voluntary manslaughter after a fatal fist-fight with his friend.
Israel Benitez-Barerra, 30, and several other people were spending the night in a vacant lot on Palm Avenue and Center Drive on Aug. 3.
According to his arrest report, Benitez-Barerra had been drinking for several hours and was “drunk and in a bad mood most of the day.”
At about 12:45 a.m., Benitez-Barerra got into a physical altercation with Adam “Tank” Hilty, 51. Witness statements were conflicted as to whether the fight was horseplay or serious, police said.
Benitez-Barerra punched Hilty in the back and sides and then walked away from the fight, fell in a hole and passed out, according to the report. Hilty passed out after being punched.
Benitez-Barerra woke up and left the scene before police arrived, according to the report.
Hilty was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Clark County coroner’s office said Hilty had a lacerated spleen, along with bruising on his back and left side.
Benitez-Barerra is being held for $30,000 bail at the Clark County Detention Center. He has a preliminary hearing on Aug. 27.
Contact Annalise Porter at aporter@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0264.
