Family says woman shot dead during apartment spat was bystander

By Ricardo Torres-Cortez

Wednesday, April 6, 2016 | 2 a.m.

Raquel Stapinksi was caught in the middle of a Sunday night shootout that stemmed from an argument she had no part in, according to her family.

By the time the sound of gunshots dwindled and emergency crews arrived, Stapinksi, 41, lay dead on an apartment complex sidewalk, while the parties involved scattered, according to Metro Police.

She'd been shot in the right arm and armpit, the Clark County Coroner's Office said.

Detectives say witnesses haven't been forthcoming, Metro Lt. Dan McGrath said. "We will not stop trying to solve this case."

The shooting was reported about 9 p.m. in the 6500 block of West Charleston Boulevard, near Torrey Pines Drive, police said.

A fight broke out between two groups and at least two people fired shots, police said. Stapinksi might have been associated with one of the groups, police said.

Detectives believe she's an innocent bystander, McGrath said.

Stapinksi was invited to a birthday celebration gathering at Lantana Apartments, where she and her husband also resided, her brother Stephen Coleman told the Las Vegas Sun on Tuesday.

Stapinski, a Chicago native who moved to Las Vegas about six years ago, was described as someone who "no matter what was going on," always tried lighting up the room with her friendly and genuine personality, Coleman said.

She wasn't a combative person, Coleman said. "That's not who she was."

Stapinksi does not have a criminal record in Clark County, records show.

Her family will most remember her for her willingness to help others, Coleman said.

An example Coleman gave was a time her friend's children, who were struggling financially, needed a home and Stapinski stepped in, taking them in, providing food and helping her friend find a job.

She gave them the "initial push that they needed to get going," he said.

Stapinksi's family is seeking help with funeral expenses, Coleman said. A GoFundMe page has been set up.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Metro at 702-828-3521 or at [email protected]. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555.