Two shooting deaths under investigation

Metro and North Las Vegas police are investigating two unrelated shooting deaths that happened during the three-day July 4 holiday weekend.

On July 4 the body of Daniel Shersty, 20, of Las Vegas was found lying on the ground in front of his black Chevrolet off Powerline Road, about a half a mile north of Centennial Parkway and 3 1/2 miles west of U.S. 95 in the northwest part of Las Vegas Valley.

It was the second time in a week a body was found in that area of the desert, according to authorities.

Metro homicide detective Lt. Wayne Petersen said a man riding an all-terrain vehicle found Shersty's body and called police at about 8:20 a.m. The man had been shot once in his torso.

Shersty was last seen around midnight in his Chevrolet with friend Lin "Spit" Newborn, 25, who police were still looking for this morning.

Homicide Sgt. Ken Hefner said there is reason to be concerned for Newborn's well-being, and police are seeking the public's help in finding him.

Both Newborn and Shersty identified with a non-racist, counterculture-type "skinhead" life style, Hefner said, shaving their heads and favoring numerous tattoos and body piercings.

Hefner was quick to point out, however, that Shersty and Newborn were more passive than the demonstrative, fascist-minded skinheads prone to racism and violence.

Police have learned that the more aggressive skinhead types who call themselves "Nazis" have attacked Shersty and Newborn's group of friends in the past.

Metro listed Newborn as missing under suspicious circumstances on Sunday.

He is described as black, 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, shaved head, with numerous tattoos including a crucified, faceless man on his right inner forearm, a heart with "Cynthia" on his left inner forearm, and "Nicodemus" on his lower back in two-inch old-English script.

Newborn also has pierced his nostril, septum, tongue, chin, both nipples and both ears three times each.

"Newborn's family hasn't heard from him. His work hasn't heard from him, and he hasn't gone back to the apartment he shares with some of the other people in his (skinhead) group," Hefner said. "These people are close, and they spend a lot of time together. They are really concerned about him."

Anyone who knows of Newborn's whereabouts is asked to call the homicide division at 229-3521 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

On June 27 the body of Samuel Agustino Paterniti, 64, was found by a woman riding a bicycle along Centennial Parkway near where Shersty's body was discovered.

The body was partially buried beneath rocks.

In an another unrelated slaying, North Las Vegas Police said a transient was shot to death during an altercation at about 4 a.m. Sunday under a railroad bridge in the 200 block of Owens Avenue.

NLVPD Sgt. Michael Judd said the victim died from multiple gunshot wounds.

The dead man is described as a black male, 5-foot-8, wearing a light shirt and gray pants. Efforts were being made Monday to confirm his identity.

Police are looking for a suspect described as a black male, 5-foot-6, medium build and wearing a beige shirt.

Anyone with information on the transient's possible killer should call police at 649-9111.

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