Police: Robbery led to slaying

Johnnie Fountain got curious when he heard a series of gunshots -- first three, then two.

He drove to the 1900 block of St. Lawrence Drive, around the corner from his home in the northwest valley, about 2 p.m. Thursday and didn't like what he found.

A man was face down in the driveway in a puddle of blood, Fountain said. "He was not moving," the 46-year-old added.

Fountain called police.

It turned out to be the 53rd homicide worked by the Metropolitan Police Department this year.

It appears the motive was robbery, said Lt. Lew Roberts, head of the homicide unit.

The dead man, whose name was withheld by police, and a second shooting victim, a local barber, left Richard's barbershop in a strip mall at Decatur and Lake Mead boulevards and were confronted by two men who asked for a ride.

The victims agreed and proceeded to drive the two men around the corner to the 1900 block of St. Lawrence, Roberts said. According to the barber, the two men then tried to rob them, Roberts said.

The robbers shot at the victims, killing one and hitting the barber in the foot as he ran away, Roberts said. The barber later was treated and released at a hospital.

After the shooting, the two suspects jumped in the victim's car and drove away, Roberts said. Police found the vehicle at Lake Mead and Rancho Drive shortly after the shooting. Two people found there were taken into custody for questioning.

Meanwhile, Fountain watched as crime scene investigators photographed the victim in the driveway.

"I just recently moved to this neighborhood, and I did not want to have this wake-up call," he said.