Girl gunned down at a central valley bus stop

Randii Lennette Morrow, 16, staggered into the alley behind a central valley bus stop late Sunday and collapsed against a fence.

The teenager who had been running for her life could run no farther.

Morrow was breathing when she arrived at University Medical Center, but Las Vegas police said the girl never stood a chance. She died a short time later.

Homicide Lt. Lew Roberts said Morrow and her 19-year-old boyfriend, who wasn't identified, had been sitting at a bus stop at 2730 E. Bonanza Road, east of Eastern Avenue, about 10:15 p.m. when two men approached.

The boyfriend told police the men didn't speak before they opened fire. Police said Morrow was fleeing when she was fatally shot in the neck and face.

"It's pretty cowardly to shoot an unarmed 16-year-old girl in the back," Roberts said. "We're going to hunt them down until we catch them."

Rufus Hyde, Morrow's stepfather, said his "baby girl" fell victim to a senseless crime.

"There ain't no reason for a 16-year-old to be killed," Hyde said Monday night from his apartment near Bonanza Road and Seventh Street. "I'm so hurt."

Hyde said he'll never forget the petite teen he described as a "little, bitty girl."

"I'm going to miss her smiles. Her anger. The way she sits down and does her hair. ... Everything," he said.

He began to cry when asked about Morrow's interests and aspirations.

"I can't do this anymore," he said.

After the shooting, police said, Morrow's boyfriend fled into the Colonial Manor apartment complex and told residents to call 911. He was not hurt, but a 10-year-old boy received minor cuts when a stray bullet entered his apartment and shattered a television, police said.

The boy was treated at the scene, police said.

What appeared to be a bullet hole was visible Monday night on the bus shelter's metal backing.

Morrow's boyfriend was cooperative with detectives, police said.

Police do not believe robbery was a motive. Roberts said the shooting may have been gang-related.

He doubted Morrow was struck by a stray bullet. She was probably targeted, he said.

"They (the suspects) knew exactly what they were doing. I don't think this was random," Roberts said.

Morrow last attended Rancho High School in March, according to the Clark County School District.

AN ARGUMENT, THEN SHOOTING HEARD

Betty Pallette, who manages Colonial Manor, said she heard an argument outside the complex moments before the shooting started.

She said she heard about five shots, several of which struck her building.

"It sounded like a hammer hitting the houses," Pallette said. "I was terrified, I couldn't believe what was happening. You hear a lot of fighting around here, but nothing like that."

Pallette said Morrow and the boyfriend did not live at the complex. She did not see the shooting, she said, but watched police investigating the aftermath Monday morning.

She saw the blood trail where Morrow staggered to her death, she said.

"It's such a tragedy," Pallette said. "I feel very sorry for the girl and her parents. I just hope Metro catches those guys."

'WE'RE LOSING OUR BABIES OVER NONSENSE'

LaToya Minor and her 12-year-old daughter, BeAndra McCarty, visited a growing memorial in honor of Morrow next to the bus stop Monday afternoon. The memorial was decorated with balloons, stuffed animals and candles.

BeAndra , who was friends with Morrow, said the shooting has left her shaken. Both Minor and her daughter last saw Morrow on Saturday at a relative's birthday party.

"I'm scared," said a tearful BeAndra . "I don't want someone to come up to me and do something like this to me."

Minor said Morrow was well known in the neighborhood and was a talented dancer.

"It's just crazy," Minor said. "We're losing our babies over nonsense."

Anyone with information is urged to call the Homicide Section at 828-3521 or Crime Stoppers at 385-5555. Tips leading directly to an arrest or indictment through Crime Stoppers may lead to a cash reward.

Roberts said any information could be vital to the investigation. "We're looking for the public's help to solve this heinous crime."

Contact reporter Mike Blasky at mblasky@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0283. Contact reporter Antonio Planas at aplanas@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4638.