Police suspect racial motives in murders of skinheads

The murders of two members of an anti-racist skinhead group, whose bodies were found in the desert in the northwest Las Vegas Valley, could have been racially motivated, Metro Police said.

Originally police thought the shooting death of Daniel Shersty, 20, found Saturday, was an isolated murder, but Monday the body of Lin "Spit" Newborn, 25, was found 150 yards from Shersty.

Both belonged to the Las Vegas Unity Skins, a group against racism.

Homicide Lt. Wayne Petersen said there have been reports the Unity Skins have had tensions with another Las Vegas group, which is racist. Police are investigating that connection.

Shersty and Newborn were shot to death, possibly while trying to run away, Petersen said.

Motorists on all-terrain vehicles discovered Shersty Saturday morning half a mile north of Rome Boulevard, 3 1/2 miles west of U.S. 95.

Investigators said Shersty and Newborn were last seen leaving a friend's house shortly after midnight Saturday, saying they were on their way to meet two women.

"We still don't know who those women were or if they ever met the victims," Petersen said today.

When Metro detectives could not locate Newborn while investigating Shersty's death, they returned to the area of the original crime scene and found Newborn's body about 150 yards to the east of Shersty's.

Anyone with information about the incidents should contact the police or call Secret Witness at 385-5555.

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