Woman shot and killed in her apartment identified

A man told Las Vegas police, "Why don't you just shoot me?" during his arrest in connection with the Sept. 2 shooting death of his girlfriend, according to an arrest report.

Johnny E. Medrano, 24, later denied hurting Kristan Elizabeth Smith, 51, police said. She was also known as Valencia Smith.

Smith's body was found that same day inside their apartment near the intersection of 21st and Fremont streets after a witness in the complex told police he heard gunshots.

When police arrived, they found Medrano's brother, Ruben Medrano, sobbing. He and other witnesses told detectives Johnny Medrano shot Smith during an argument about 11 p.m., according to police.

Johnny Medrano was arrested the same night at a relative's home. He told detectives he was at that house all night. But he later changed his narrative and said he had just arrived about an hour prior.

Medrano faces one count of first-degree murder, police said.

Police did not find the gun used in the slaying, according to the report.

Contact Kimber Laux at klaux@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0381. Find her on Twitter: @lauxkimber. Contact Ricardo Torres at rtorres@reviewjournal.com and 702-383-0381. Find him on Twitter: @rickytwrites.