Two suspects identified in gang-related killing, police say

Las Vegas police have one man in jail in connection with the July 29 slaying of a Salvadoran who was suspected of being a member of the Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, gang, and they have identified a second suspect in the killing.

Police on July 31 arrested Alexander Perez and booked him on multiple charges including murder with a deadly weapon, kidnapping and robbery.

He participated in the killing of 24-year-old Jose Martinez, who was found shot to death on Kasper Avenue near H Street on July 29, police allege.

That morning, Perez and several other men had accompanied Martinez to his apartment on Carey Avenue near Las Vegas Boulevard, where they searched for a gun, according to the police report.

The men then beat up Martinez, forced him into a car and drove to H and Kasper, the report stated.

Witnesses told police that Perez and another man, 28-year-old Victoriano Luna-Diaz, who goes by the nickname "Toto," then shot and killed Martinez, the report stated.

Police were still searching for the Luna-Diaz as of Monday evening. Like the victim, Luna-Diaz has "MS" tattoos.

Perez, who also goes by the name Julio Gutierez-Cesar, denied shooting and killing Martinez, the report stated.

It remained unclear why Martinez was killed.