Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Coroner IDs woman killed when she interrupted burglary

Updated Thursday, May 31, 2018 | 2:41 p.m.

A couple pulling up to their northwest valley house after eating lunch Wednesday afternoon encountered two burglars, one who opened fire and killed the woman, according to Metro Police.

The Clark County Coroner's Office on Thursday identified the woman as Sheri Aoyagi, 60. She died of a gunshot wound to the chest, officials said.

The couple caught the burglary in progress about 3:30 p.m. 6400 block of Morley Avenue, near Torrey Pines Drive and Smoke Ranch Road, Lt. Ray Spencer said.

They found it suspicious that there was a vehicle parked in their driveway, Spencer said. Aoyagi got out of the vehicle and the suspects exited simultaneously.

One of them pulled out a gun and pulled the trigger, fatally wounding Aoyagi outside before the duo fled in a white Chrysler 300, which was later found unoccupied about three miles south on West Washington Avenue, police said.

The woman’s husband, who was apparently the only witness, was slow to get out of the car because he uses a wheelchair, Spencer said. “He is extremely distraught.”

The home had been ransacked, but it wasn’t clear if anything was stolen, police said.

“It’s an absolutely disturbing call and completely senseless,” said Spencer, noting that the shooting was random and in broad daylight. “We are going to work this nonstop, making sure we get these people in custody. The people on this street absolutely should be shocked in the sense that this happened on their street.”

This was the third homicide investigated by Metro in less than 24 hours.

A single bullet fatally struck a man and critically wounded a 3-week-old baby in a southeast valley apartment Tuesday night.

Wednesday afternoon, a 2-year-old boy was accidentally shot by another child in the northeast valley.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Metro at 702-828-3521 or by email at [email protected] remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555 or at crimestoppersofnv.com. Tips leading directly to an arrest or indictment processed through Crime Stoppers may be eligible for a cash reward.