On the evening of January 7, 2021, 32-year-old Jose Santa Cruz was shot in a shopping plaza parking lot on East Charleston Boulevard in Las Vegas, Nevada. Santa Cruz, a special education teacher, was with his father, who was nearby setting up the family’s taco truck when an argument reportedly broke out between Santa Cruz and another male, reportedly over graffiti. The confrontation escalated and gunfire struck Santa Cruz in the torso. He was taken to University Medical Center and later died; the Clark County coroner’s office ruled the death a homicide.

Witnesses said a man fled the scene immediately after the shooting. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police identified a suspect and, within a week, arrested 18-year-old Zyonn Dawson. Dawson was booked into the Clark County Detention Center and charged with murder with a deadly weapon; surveillance footage from the area was cited in his identification and arrest.

If anyone knew Jose, saw activity in that shopping plaza that night, or has information about the argument or the suspect, please come forward.