Crime
Video shows moments Las Vegas Athletic Club shooting suspect Daniel Ortega shot and killed by officer
LAS VEGAS — Authorities have identified the gunman in last week’s deadly shooting at the Las Vegas Athletic Club (LVAC) as 34-year-old Daniel Ortega.
During a press conference held Monday, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) provided new details about the incident and confirmed the victim as 31-year-old Edgar Quinonez, a longtime LVAC employee.
Assistant Sheriff Jamie Prosser said Ortega entered the LVAC location on North Rainbow Boulevard around 1:30 p.m. on Friday armed with a rifle.
He walked past multiple gym-goers and approached the front desk where Quinonez was working.
A second employee briefly interacted with Ortega before fleeing when the suspect raised his weapon and opened fire.
Quinonez was struck by gunfire, and Ortega continued to pursue him further into the facility, firing a total of 24 rounds before his rifle malfunctioned.
According to Prosser, the weapon malfunction likely prevented what could have been a mass casualty event.
“Fortunately, this gentleman had a malfunction in his weapon, which saved this from becoming a mass casualty event,” Prosser said.
Quinonez, a resident of Las Vegas, died at the scene.
Police emphasized that he had no known prior relationship or interaction with Ortega, and the motive for the shooting remains undetermined at this time.
Ortega was confronted by law enforcement shortly after the shooting began.
Three responding officers opened fire during the encounter.
Ortega died at the scene.
In accordance with department policy, those officers have been placed on paid administrative leave while the incident remains under investigation.
LVMPD also noted that Ortega was an active member of that specific LVAC location.
Authorities continue to investigate the shooter’s background and possible motives.
Crime
Noemi Hernandez, Mother of Four Murdered By Her Husband Hector Luvianos Two Days Before Christmas
BATAVIA, Ill. — A devastating domestic homicide has left a family and community in mourning just days before Christmas.
Noemi Hernandez, a devoted mother of four, was fatally attacked in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 23, in what prosecutors allege was a violent act committed by her husband.
The incident occurred at an apartment building in the 100 block of Church Street in Batavia.
According to court records and police reports, at approximately 4:37 a.m., Batavia police were dispatched after a man contacted emergency dispatchers and stated that he had killed his wife.
Responding officers located the man outside the apartment building and took him into custody without incident.
When officers entered the apartment, they found Hernandez suffering from severe, life-threatening injuries.
First responders immediately attempted life-saving measures; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as Hector B. Luvianos, 37, who was transported to the Batavia Police Department for questioning.
With assistance from the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force, investigators determined the incident was domestic-related and involved only the two individuals. Police emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
On Dec. 24, 2025, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser and Batavia Police Chief Eric Blowers announced that Luvianos has been formally charged with first-degree murder, a Class M felony under Illinois law.
He appeared in court the same day for a pretrial detention hearing, after which a judge ordered him held in the Kane County Jail while the case proceeds.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the official cause and manner of Hernandez’s death.
In the wake of the tragedy, Hernandez’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and related expenses.
In the fundraiser, the family described Noemi as “the heart of her family,” noting that she worked tirelessly, loved deeply, and always placed her children first. Her sudden death, they wrote, has left the family emotionally devastated and financially unprepared.
As an immigrant family with limited resources and no life insurance, they now face the burden of funeral and cremation costs, legal fees, and other unexpected expenses, all while supporting four children grieving the loss of their mother.
The family is asking for community support to allow them to lay Noemi to rest with dignity and focus on healing rather than financial hardship.
The investigation remains ongoing.