Tia Elder, center, sister of Morland Antwon Richey-Elder, holds a photo of her brother as she speaks during a news conference Thursday, July 28, 2016. Mario Richey, left, holds an urn containing his son’s ashes. Antwon Richey-Elder was 20-years-old when he was shot and killed at a house party on July 28, 2014. The case is still unsolved.
Friday, July 29, 2016 | 2 a.m.
Several of the scores who attended a house party two years ago witnessed a gunman shoot 20-year-old Morland Antwon Richey-Elder in the neck — nearly at point blank, Metro Police said.
Police have identified persons of interest — at least a couple of whom have stayed criminally active since the slaying — yet arrests can’t be made without independent witness accounts, homicide Lt. Dan McGrath said.
“If they don’t contact us, we’re going to contact them,” McGrath said of the partygoers, noting that police have a list of names of several of the nearly 80 people who were at the spacious house, which had been rented for the occasion, on July 28, 2014.
McGrath and Richey-Elder’s family gathered Thursday afternoon in a central valley neighborhood to make a plea:
“Me and my family would like to ask that the witnesses come forward, because we can’t go on,” said Jacqueline Elder, the victim’s mother, as she choked up. “We can’t go on with our lives until somebody comes forward.”
At one point while speaking with reporters, Jacqueline Elder hugged the metal urn that holds his ashes. His sister held an enlarged photo of her brother. There was also a poster board; Richey-Elder’s photo surrounded by handwritten messages from his loved ones.
Officers were called about 12:30 a.m. to 8813 Barium Rock Ave., near Iron Mountain Road and North El Capitan Way, police said. Richey-Elder had left the party but returned minutes before shots rang out outside near the driveway.
He was able to run into a backyard after being shot, but he collapsed and died at the scene. Party guests had carried him to a car.
A motive for the shooting has not been established and it was likely a case of an argument — possibly over something trivial — quickly escalating into gunshots, McGrath said. "We’re losing too many young people in this community."
Richey-Elder did not have gang ties, but several of those present did, McGrath said.
The shooting remains under investigation. After Richey-Elder’s slaying two years ago, people connected to the shooting have been linked to other violent incidents, McGrath said.
Police will investigate claims made Thursday by Richey-Elder’s family who said they have been intimidated via social media, possibly by the people connected to the shooting, McGrath said.
According to loved ones, the 20-year-old Richey-Elder, who still called Jaqueline Elder “mommy,” had myriad endearing qualities:
He was well liked.
His sense of humor was unmatched.
Friends on social media still constantly post about him.
“He used to rub on her stomach and say he couldn’t wait for (the baby) to kick,” Jaqueline Elder said about her son’s then-pregnant sister.
For two years, Jacqueline Elder has called police about the case at least twice a week. “He’s not going to let us down,” she said, referring to the lead detective. “I know he’s not.”
The shooting "has affected my family tremendously," Jacqueline Elder said. "We can’t start the healing process until somebody comes forward.”
Aunt Surena Elder made a final plea to witnesses: “How could you sleep at night knowing you knew or saw what happened?”
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.
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