UPDATE: Two more arrests made in death of security guard
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A male security officer was found dead just after midnight on Wednesday at an apartment complex near Fort Apache Road and Hacienda Avenue.
By:
Lesley Marin
Posted
and last updated
UPDATE MAY 26, 2017: Las Vegas police announced there were two more arrests made in the April 2016 murder of Mark Santee. The men have been identified as Deandre Daniels and Julian Warren.
Today we announce 2 additional arrests for the April '16 murder of Mark Santee. #LVMPD is working hard to bring those responsible to justice pic.twitter.com/qTs9k7U1qT
UPDATE ON MARCH 01, 2017: The man arrested for the murder of a security guard at a construction site in 2016 is speaking out about the grizzly crime.
During the investigation, 43-year-old Raymond G. Padilla was identified as a suspect. He was arrested in September 2016 on unrelated charges. He was re-booked on Feb. 27 for the murder of Mark Santee.
Padilla agreed to an interview with 13 Action News while behind bars Thursday.
When asked if he killed Santee, Padilla responded, "I don't even know who he is let alone to do anything to him."
Las Vegas police were asked to check on a missing security guard on April 27 by his employer.
They located him at approximately 12:30 a.m. April 27, 2016 at the apartment complex under construction near Tropicana and the 215.
Detectives determined that the security guard had been involved in a fight before he was shot and killed.
Padilla claims he has never been to the apartment complex where Santee's body was found.
"The only reason I got caught up in this is because I got pulled over for driving an orange Chevy Avalanche," Padilla said.
A police report states investigators caught Padilla's car on a security camera and his phone records show that he was in the area the night of the murder.
Padilla has a lengthy criminal history and has spent more than 20 years behind bars. He was let out of prison nearly three years ago before being booked on felony charges for carrying a gun.
Now he could do more time for the murder of Santee.
"I don't care. I wasn't there it doesn't have anything to do with me," Padilla said.
Santee was the sole breadwinner for his family and left behind a wife and three daughters.
UPDATE ON MAY 03: Police are currently seeking the public’s assistance in locating a vehicle of interest related to this homicide investigation.
Detectives are attempting to locate a newer model red or orange Chevrolet Avalanche or Cadillac Escalade EXT pickup truck. The vehicle was last seen traveling southbound on Hacienda Avenue from Jerry Tarkanian Way.
Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of this vehicle is urged not to approach it, and to contact 311 or call Crime Stoppers by phone at 702-385-5555.
UPDATE: Friends and family of the victim say his name was Mark Steven Santee. His identity was confirmed by the Clark County coroner on Thursday.
A friend set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for the family of the victim. One of his daughters also set up one that can be found here.
According to the GoFundMe page, 48-year-old Santee was the sole breadwinner for his family. He leaves behind his wife and three daughters.
Santee's employer has set up a memorial account for Santee's family at Wells Fargo. The account number for the Mark Santee Memorial Fund is #7752883855. Anyone that wishes to donate can use either the account number or the account name when calling or visiting Wells Fargo.
ORIGINAL STORY
A male security officer was found dead just after midnight on Wednesday at an apartment complex near Fort Apache Road and Hacienda Avenue.
A representative of the security company advised police they could not locate an on-duty guard assigned to patrol the site.
Officers that arrived at the construction site located the adult male security guard on the ground within the complex deceased from multiple apparent gunshot wounds.
"The security guard's a quiet cool little guy, you know," said one of the construction workers. "You'd see him every morning, and that's it. I never expected anything to happen."
Investigators say the victim was a security guard assigned by a local company to patrol the apartment complex that is under construction.
Detectives believe the victim was involved in a physical fight with a suspect or suspects before the shots were fired. No suspect or suspects have yet been identified.
This is the 62nd homicide investigated by the LVMPD in 2016. The identity of the victim, as well as the cause and manner of death, will be released by the Clark County Coroner’s Office.
Police confirm a security guard was killed at a construction site. Victim logged bad encounters with people. @KTNVpic.twitter.com/oi8YxbnN8g
13 Action News Crime and Safety Expert and retired LVMPD Lt. Randy Sutton said the security guard should have been armed.
"I'm a great believer that you have to equip your personnel with the equipment that's required to save their lives and if you are going to work security and you are going to be in confrontations with the possibility of confrontations with suspects, I would never go out there without a weapon," he said.
HEAR MORE OF WHAT SUTTON HAS TO SAY IN THE VIDEO BELOW.
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