Man killed by Silver Nugget co-worker didn’t fight, police say

By Ricardo Torres-Cortez

Monday, May 23, 2016 | 6:15 p.m.

Before any words were exchanged, a casino security guard shot dead by police last week had earlier grabbed a co-worker by the neck, dragged him through employee areas of the casino and pummeled him to death, North Las Vegas police said Monday.

Slot machine technician Edgardo Lavado Velasquez, 64, who police say did not put up a fight, died from neck and head trauma, the Clark County coroner's office said.

The accused attacker, unarmed guard Jeremias Cruz, 30, picked fights with several other co-workers before he "focused his attention" on Velasquez, police said.

Once outside, Cruz got on top of Velasquez and started hitting him, police said.

A security guard who tried stopping him suffered a hand injury when Cruz also attacked him, police said.

Officers were called to the Silver Nugget, 2140 Las Vegas Blvd. North, about 5:45 a.m. Thursday, police said. Witnesses called 911 during the attack and described Cruz as being erratic.

Arriving police encountered Cruz, who they said was experiencing an "agitated chaotic episode," in a back part of the casino, police said.

Officer Rodrigo Delara, 22, fired shots after Cruz refused to comply with orders, tried attacking officers and a taser failed to stop him.

Cruz died at University Medical Center from gunshot wounds in the torso, the coroner's office said.

Delara, who has been with the department one year and three months, was placed on paid administrative leave while police further investigate.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.