Woman gunned down outside Las Vegas shopping center is identified

By Ricardo Torres-Cortez

Tuesday, March 21, 2017 | 6:20 p.m.

A woman found slain on Sunday night at a shopping center near UNLV with a gunshot wound to her head has been identified as Latoya Norgina Woolen, 39, according to the Clark County coroner’s office.

Shopping bags from a dollar store at the shopping center in the 1000 block of Flamingo Road were found near Woolen’s body, and investigators believe that she’d just purchased items there, Metro Police Lt. Dan McGrath said in a briefing broadcast online.

Initial findings suggested that Woolen might have been waiting — possibly for a ride — near a wall at the complex when someone came from behind and shot her, McGrath said Sunday. “(It) doesn’t look like she saw it coming.”

Investigators who were reviewing surveillance images in the area were trying to determine what she was doing at the time of her death and if she was alone, McGrath said.

Robbery was likely not the reason for the shooting, since several of her personal items, including her purse and cell phone were found at the scene, he said.

Bystanders who saw the woman on the ground called 911 about 8:45 p.m., police said.

Further details were not immediately available.

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