Children were present when man shot in head at east valley apartment

By Ricardo Torres-Cortez

Published Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016 | 3:46 p.m.

Updated Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016 | 7:25 p.m.

The shooter's visibility was mostly obstructed by the kitchen's sliding door blinds, which were barely open.

But the gap proved to be enough for the shooter to zero in on the believed intended target, hitting him four times, including once in the head, Monday night, Metro Police Lt. Dan McGrath said.

On Tuesday evening, the victim, a 20-year-old man, remained in critical condition and the suspected shooter and motive for pulling the trigger hadn't been identified, McGrath said. The incident isn't believed to be a random act of violence.

Police received multiple calls about 10:45 p.m. at the Avion at Sunrise Mountain Apartments, 6901 E. Lake Mead Blvd., near Nellis Boulevard, police said.

According to McGrath:

The victim went to his relative's first-story apartment and was there less than an hour before bullets pierced the sliding-glass door into the kitchen where he was standing.

The victim's relative, who is not considered a suspect, wasn't at the apartment, but his girlfriend and two young children were.

The woman locked herself and the two girls in a bathroom and called police. She said she could hear the victim moaning.

Possible witnesses have not come forward, but investigators, who include gang unit officers, were hoping to make strides by talking to the victim's family members, McGrath said.

Metro increased its patrol in the area in an effort to avoid possible retaliation.

The suspect showed "reckless disregard," McGrath said, about the shooter firing into an apartment with bystanders present. One of the bullets also entered a neighboring apartment.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Metro at 702-828-3521 or via email at [email protected]. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555 or online at crimestoppersofnv.com.