Two suspected gang members will be tried in a July shooting at a Woodside Drive apartment complex that came about after tenants chased off graffiti vandals, Carson City Justice of Peace Robey Willis determined Friday.
Ricardo Llamas and John Turner, both 19, remain in jail on $250,000 bail.
Each faces a count of felony attempted murder with a deadly weapon, an alternate charge of attempted murder to advance gang activity, and three counts of battery with a deadly weapon. They will be arraigned in District Court on Oct. 20.
According to court records, Llamas, Turner and two others intended to paint over graffiti from a rival gang, when tenants at the Stanton Arms apartments spotted the men and chased them away.
Two hours later, Turner and Llamas allegedly returned, opening fire on one of the tenants in the parking lot.
In testimony Thursday at the preliminary hearing the 21-year-old victim said he heard bullets fly within inches of his face as he ducked for cover. He was not hit.
The victim's father and sister witnessed the shooting and yelled at the shooters to stop, when Llamas turned the gun on them, said District Attorney Neil Rombardo in closing statements Friday. "(This shooting happened) all because they thought they had the right to cover up the graffiti that was in their alleged territory," he said.
Rombardo also said he believed the charges of attempted murder, which require the element of intent be proven, are justified.
"You don't shoot through a fence at someone who is 15 feet away " enraged " unless you have the intent to kill them," he said.
A request by Turner's Attorney for a reduction in bail was denied.
- Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.
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