by Las Vegas, Nevada — A 38-year-old man has been charged with open murder with the use of a deadly weapon after police say he fatally shot his roommate following a heated dispute at a central Las Vegas apartment complex.
Mychael V. Thompson was arrested on Feb. 12 after officers responded to multiple 911 calls reporting that a man had been shot, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
Authorities said officers arrived around 10 a.m. and later discovered the victim’s body in a parking lot outside the apartment.
Victim Identified, Weapon Evidence Found
Police identified the victim as Antwon Watson, who was transported to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
According to reports citing arrest documents, investigators found a “SAR 9mm Luger” cartridge near the scene.
“Thompson fled the scene before officers arrived,” LVMPD said in a release.
Through their investigation, authorities located Thompson’s vehicle and took him into custody. He was later booked into the Clark County Detention Center.
Dispute Allegedly Sparked by Suspicion
Court records indicate that the shooting followed a dispute inside the apartment shared by Thompson, his girlfriend and Watson.
Police interviewed Thompson’s girlfriend, who told investigators she had been in a relationship with him for three years and had lived with him for five years. She said Watson had moved in roughly a month earlier.
According to the arrest report, interviews and surveillance footage from a neighbor’s security camera suggested that Thompson suspected his girlfriend of cheating with Watson.
Video footage reportedly showed Watson pushing Thompson during a confrontation earlier that morning.
A witness told police Thompson returned home around 7 a.m. after drinking the night before and allegedly continued consuming alcohol.
The girlfriend told authorities that Watson and Thompson argued about Thompson’s alcohol intake, with Watson allegedly telling him to “lay off alcohol.”
Gunshot Heard Inside Apartment
The arrest report details what happened moments before the shooting.
“As [the witness] walked out of the master bedroom, she heard one gunshot and could smell gun powder. She observed Mychael [Thompson] in the bathroom and Antwon [Watson] run toward the front door of the apartment,” the report stated.
The woman said she returned to the bedroom and closed the door with children inside. When she came out, both men were gone. She then went outside and found Watson lying on the ground as patrol vehicles arrived.
Authorities said Watson’s family later confirmed that he and Thompson had been friends, and that Watson was temporarily staying with him before moving into his own apartment at the end of February.
Statements and Changing Accounts
When detectives interviewed Thompson, investigators noted in their report that they did not believe he was taking the interview seriously.
Read Also: Gunman Fatally Shoots Ex-Wife and Son at Youth Hockey Game Before Taking Own Life
Authorities said Thompson initially claimed he did not know what happened because he was “on the moon.” After being shown surveillance footage of Watson allegedly pushing him, Thompson reportedly said he left the area.
According to the report, Thompson later changed his story, claiming he was not at the apartment and was instead visiting a female friend whose identity he refused to disclose.
Family Reacts
Watson’s family expressed shock and heartbreak over his death.
“He went there to someone who he trusted, and he was betrayed,” Watson’s daughter Faith said.
Another daughter, Hope, added:
“He knew my dad for a long time, and he shot him and left him dead in the parking lot.”
Court Proceedings
On Feb. 13, a judge ordered Thompson to remain held without bail. He is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 18. The investigation remains ongoing as prosecutors prepare to move forward with the case.
What are your thoughts on how disputes escalate into violence in shared living situations? Share your perspective in the comments below.
