Son arrested in slaying of mother, shooting father in southeast valley
Las Vegas police arrested a 28-year-old man accused of fatally shooting his mother and wounding his father early Wednesday morning while the couple were inside a car outside their southeast valley home.
Jeffrey Wilson was booked into the Clark County Detention Center Wednesday on recommended charges of murder with a deadly weapon and attempted murder with a deadly weapon.
Police suspect Wilson killed his mother, Kathy Wilson, 58, outside her home at 3077 Greendale St., near Vegas Valley Drive and Lamb Boulevard.
His father, Bill Wilson, 61, was taken to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center. His condition is not known.
Police got a call about the shooting about 4:45 a.m.
Hours afterward, a white sedan sat outside the house with the driver's-side door ajar. A neighbor, who did not want to be identified, said the car was riddled with bullet holes.
Jessie Ramirez, who lives down the street, said Jeffrey Wilson shot at his parents in the car and must have fled - his truck was nowhere to be found on the block.
Homicide Lt. Ray Steiber said it appeared Wilson's parents did not feel their son was a violent threat to them.
"I don't think they had any idea this was going to happen," Steiber said.
He added police have not pinned down a motive in the shootings. Steiber said Wilson was arrested without incident about 11 a.m.
Frances Stratton, a resident in the area since the 1970s, said Kathy and Bill Wilson have owned the home since 1980 and have always been friendly neighbors. Stratton said she heard loud shouting at the home in prior weeks but didn't know what the arguments were about.
Other neighbors and friends painted the couple as a loving mother and father trying to cope with troubled sons.
Wednesday morning's shooting was the latest in a string of incidents at the Wilson's house.
Jamie Minkler, a family friend who lived a few doors down until about a year ago, said both sons have struggled with drug abuse. But through their troubles, Kathy Wilson loved and took care of them, she said.
The elder brother is in prison at Lovelock Correctional Center for a drug-related offense and has no connection to the shooting.
"They gave their parents a hard time," Minkler said. "She was the best mother in the world."
According to Clark County District Court records, Jeffrey Wilson was pulled over Feb. 26, 2007, by a Las Vegas police officer. The officer smelled marijuana in the vehicle. The officer then found the drug, and Wilson admitted the marijuana was his. A police report said Wilson had 32.5 grams of marijuana in his car during the stop. The officer who stopped Wilson asked him to "assist in future police investigations."
Wilson promised to call police but never did. A warrant was issued for his arrest.
Wilson pleaded guilty to felony possession of a controlled substance in the case.
In February 2008, he was sentenced to three years of probation and was mandated to be drug tested regularly. He also had to complete community service.
Henderson police arrested Wilson in May for having an open alcohol container in a vehicle and for possession of a gun silencer.
Family friend Minkler said Jeffrey Wilson's troubled behavior recently continued.
Minkler got a call from the elder Wilson brother on Monday, she said, who told her that his younger brother recently had tried to break into his parents' house.
A neighbor down the street, who asked not to be named, said he saw the father and son "get into it" outside of the house a few days ago.
"Every time there are cops in the neighborhood, nine times out of 10, it's that house," the neighbor said.
Review-Journal reporter Mike Blasky contributed to this report. Contact reporter Kyle Potter at kpotter@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0391. Contact reporter Antonio Planas at aplanas@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4638.
