Suspect depicts husband’s death
Ericka McElroy pressed the barrel of a shotgun to her husband's chest and pulled the trigger, the 25-year-old woman told police Wednesday.
The shot produced two things -- the fatal wound and the final words from the 37-year-old man's mouth.
"I give up. I give up."
Shane McElroy fell to the ground and died.
According to a Las Vegas police report, Ericka McElroy told police her husband was abusive to her for the 10 years they were together.
The report said the two were fighting early Wednesday inside their southwest valley home before scuffling over the gun.
The fight spilled out onto the street outside their home at 5020 Upper Falls Court, near Cactus Avenue and Decatur Boulevard.
Ericka McElroy was arrested shortly afterward and faces one count of murder with a deadly weapon. She is being held without bail at the Clark County Detention Center.
According to the police report, the couple, who had been married about four years and have an 8-year-old son, indeed had a violent relationship. The marriage was ending and Shane McElroy was in the process of moving out, the report states.
About 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, Shane McElroy returned home apparently drunk and woke his wife up to accuse her of having an affair. Shane McElroy threatened to kill his wife's reputed lover and put two rifles in his car. He told her to "watch the news," the report said.
The couple fought for about an hour before moving into the garage, where they scuffled over a shotgun, the report states. Ericka McElroy grabbed the gun, the report states, and they went out into the street. Shane McElroy put the shotgun in his mouth and told her to kill him. She said her husband tried to grab the weapon and she feared he would kill her. She pressed the gun against his chest and fired the fatal shot.
Neighbors said the man's body was in clear view on the road, steps away from the curb.
After the shooting, Ericka dropped the shotgun and went back into the house.
She was arrested without incident.
She declined media requests for an interview Thursday.
Contact reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0279.
