Arrest made in nearly year-old killing
Las Vegas police made an arrest in the case of a 24-year-old man who was killed almost a year ago over a misinterpreted greeting among friends.
Douglas Smalley, 31, was arrested Monday in connection with the shooting death of Dan Archie, 24, according to a Metro arrest report. Smalley faces a murder charge.
Officers were called at 10:42 p.m. on May 8 to the parking lot of Heritage Estates Apartment Complex, 3426 Algiers Drive, near the intersection of Las Vegas and Lamb boulevards, police said. Archie had been shot in the abdomen and was able to walk about a block to the 4300 block of Marion Drive, where police found him lifeless shortly before midnight.
Archie and Smalley were two of at least four men hanging out around a power box in front of the apartment complex, according to police. Smalley, who had been drinking, was the last to join the conversation and greeted each of the men — except for one called “Dame,” police said.
Archie confronted Smalley for not greeting Dame, and a fight ensued between Archie and Smalley, police said. About 10 minutes after the fight, Archie went with another friend to buy cigarettes and Smalley returned to the gathering.
When Archie returned to the complex parking lot, Smalley, who was still chatting with others near the power box, turned and fired between four and nine shots at Archie, according to witnesses in the report. Archie, who had just exited the car driven by a friend, was shot in the stomach. He hopped through an open rear door and out of the other side of the car before running away.
Police found 9mm cartridge casings at the scene of the shooting, and a blood trail that led from where Archie was shot to where police found his body. Authorities also found bottles and cans for alcoholic drinks.
Anyone with any information about the death can contact Metro’s homicide section at 702-828-3521. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555 or www.crimestoppersofnv.com.
Contact Chris Kudialis at ckudialis@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0283. Find him on Twitter: @kudialisrj.
