Shannon K. Awa, 46, was shot to death inside his downtown Las Vegas apartment in the early morning hours of November 9, 2023. Officers responding to reports of gunfire near the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts found Awa inside his residence with multiple gunshot wounds.

Witnesses described a man with dreadlocks and facial tattoos firing shots in the area. Police detained 44-year-old Major Sanford, who matched that description; Sanford reportedly told officers he had killed Awa, saying I killed that alien and later explaining he used the term because Awa was like a brother to him but not his real brother. Sanford told investigators the shooting followed an argument over Awa allegedly trying to steal Sanford’s marijuana and gun. Sanford has prior convictions for robbery and assault with a deadly weapon and was booked on murder and weapons-related charges.

Does anyone have information about what led up to the argument or witnessed activity near the apartment building that morning?