‘Influential gang member’ indicted on murder charge in Clark County shooting

A 33-year-old “influential gang member” who claimed to be an informant for authorities was indicted on murder charges in the fatal shooting of a man Jan. 14, Clark County prosecutors said Friday.

Raul “Sparks” Gonzales faces seven felony counts, including one count each of murder with use of a deadly weapon, discharging a firearm into an occupied structure and possession of a firearm by an ex-felon, and four counts of child abuse or neglect.

The defendant confessed to Las Vegas police he fired multiple rounds with a .357-caliber revolver through Eric Paul Montoya’s front door, according to his arrest report. Gonzales said he believed Montoya was planning to attack him, the report said.

Gonzales, a member of the 28th Street gang, told police Montoya, 35, had asked him for backup while he “beat up a taco vendor for money,” but Gonzales became suspicious that Montoya was going to attack him after Montoya changed the plans.

“Believing he was being tested as a police informant,” Gonzales went to Montoya’s house in the 1600 block of White Skies Court, near Nellis Boulevard and Owens Avenue, about 6 a.m. and rang the doorbell, the arrest report said. When a light came on in the house, Gonzales fired five shots through the front door, two of which hit Montoya, the report said.

Authorities would not comment on Gonzales’ claims that he was an informant.

Gonzales has been convicted multiple times, including for voluntary manslaughter with use of a deadly weapon with intent to promote, further or assist a criminal gang in 2002.

Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@review journal.com or 702-380-1039.