Suspect in standoff charged in fatal Wetlands Park shooting

By Jackie Valley

Monday, April 7, 2014 | 7 p.m.

A man involved in an apartment barricade situation Wednesday has been arrested in connection with a homicide at the Clark County Wetlands Park.

Robert Williams, 27, has been charged with murder with use of a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm by an ex-felon, burglary while in possession of a firearm and grand larceny of a firearm, according to a criminal complaint filed Monday.

A witness reported hearing several gunshots Tuesday while he was walking in the Wetlands Park and, a short time later, found 32-year-old Chester Cullen lying on a dirt roadway with gunshot wounds, according to an arrest report. Cullen was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators found several items, such as a Sony PlayStation console, gaming controllers, ammunition and a remote control, near Cullen’s body. The items — along with a 9 mm handgun — had been reported stolen the same day from a residence on Frances Celia Avenue, which is about a half-mile from the shooting, the report states.

The next day, Williams broke into an apartment on Twain Avenue. When police responded, he barricaded himself inside and shot at officers and patrol vehicles. Williams surrendered several hours later and was taken into custody.

Detectives searching the apartment found the handgun stolen from the home on Frances Celia Avenue, the report states. They also found ammunition with the same “head stamp” as the cartridge cases at the homicide scene.

Williams also matched the description of a man seen riding a bicycle near Frances Celia Avenue after the burglary and in a desert area by the Wetlands Park after the shooting.

Williams is being held without bail at the Clark County Detention Center, according to jail records. He is scheduled to appear Wednesday morning in Las Vegas Justice Court.