A Las Vegas man named Joshua Damian was arrested following two separate shooting incidents and a dramatic standoff with police near a local gym at the intersection of 215 and Flamingo Road. The incidents left gym-goers and residents on edge as authorities responded to the volatile situation.
The sequence of events began on Wednesday, May 1, when Las Vegas Metro police were called to a residence near Rainbow Boulevard and Blue Diamond Road after receiving reports of gunfire. A witness reported hearing between five to ten shots and observing a white Honda speeding away and a black Infinity with Utah plates circling the area. Upon arrival, officers were informed of additional shots heard around 10:30 a.m.
According to the police arrest report, a woman at the residence identified her boyfriend, Joshua Damian, as the individual who fired multiple shots into the air from a handgun during an argument in their backyard. She informed officers that Damian had then left the scene with a friend.
Later, at around 1:30 p.m., police received a 911 call about further gunfire at a gym located in the 9600 block of Flamingo Road. Witnesses reported that the passenger of a white sedan fired several rounds into the air in the gym’s parking lot before briefly leaving and then returning to park near the gym’s entrance.
Upon police arrival, the driver of the sedan, identified as Aaron Tainatongo, was apprehended without incident. Damian, however, refused to surrender. According to the police report, Damian engaged in erratic behavior, including yelling incoherently at officers, and at one point, acted provocatively by lowering his underwear and gesturing obscenely.
Police eventually subdued Damian using a less-lethal shotgun and a K9 unit, after which he surrendered and was taken into custody.
During the investigation, Damian’s girlfriend recounted to police that his behavior had become increasingly erratic following his recent job loss and alleged marijuana use. She described a concerning incident earlier that day where Damian discharged a rifle into the air and subsequently engaged in destructive behavior at their home.
Tainatongo told police that he was unaware Damian had a firearm when he picked him up to go to the gym. He stated that Damian began shooting from the car window when their intended meeting at the gym did not occur as planned.
Authorities recovered multiple firearms and ammunition from the scene, including a Glock handgun, an AR pistol, and loaded magazines. The arrest report detailed numerous charges against Damian, including discharging a firearm where a person might be endangered and from a vehicle.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding gun violence and public safety in community spaces.