Brother didn’t act alone, sister says

The sister of a man gunned down as an intruder in a central valley home Thursday doesn't mince words about her brother's wrongdoing.

"He was invading a home and, if he were here right now, I could just smack him," she said of 48-year-old Mark Matthew McIsaac, the Henderson man who was shot and killed Thursday by a homeowner.

But Faith, who asked that her last name not be used, wants more details about the incident that led to her brother's death. From her home in Connecticut, she has been questioning Las Vegas police detectives about why her brother was in the home, what sequence of events led to the shooting and whether accomplices were involved.

"I know Mark was wrong, but this does need to be fully investigated," she said. "This isn't something he could figure out on his own."

McIsaac was fatally shot in the chest about 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Police said he kicked in the door of a home on Sycamore Trail, near Rancho and Vegas drives. Authorities said McIsaac and the homeowner struggled before the homeowner shot and killed him.

According to Clark County property records, the Sycamore Trail home is owned by Richard Schwartz. He could not be reached for comment.

Motives for the home invasion center on the possibility that the homeowner is a high-stakes poker player, according to people who know him. Police Lt. Lew Roberts confirmed the man was a poker player but would not disclose whether he kept large sums of money on his person or in his home.

Police said McIsaac might not have acted alone, but as of Monday, no arrests had been made.

Faith thinks that an accomplice not only concocted the scheme but also was the one who kicked in the door and later took McIsaac's vehicle and cell phone.

McIsaac's mobility has been limited since he broke both his legs in a 2006 incident involving a drunken driver, his sister said.

"Mark was pretty handicapped... Could not run, for sure, could not walk a great distance before needing rest or a wheelchair to get around," she said. "Tell me why would a person vulnerable as this leave themselves in a situation they could not get away from?"

Faith said she didn't know any of her brother's friends or about possible dealings he could have been involved in. She added that he never mentioned any links to the gambling community.

"I had no idea my brother was going to do something like this," she said. "This was a total surprise."

Both Las Vegas and Henderson police said McIsaac had no criminal history with their departments.

Roberts said one person has been questioned but there wasn't enough to link him to the case. He added that authorities have no surveillance video or information showing the homeowner had been targeted or followed.

As the investigation proceeds, Faith said she will continue to seek answers. She said McIsaac doted on his family. She spoke with him Wednesday when he called to check on their ailing mother.

"I didn't think he would be acting in something like this on his own," she said. "There is somebody else out there."

Contact reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0279.